Ocean City's summer is a unique experience. When enjoying the hot weather, walking on the beach, and the general outdoors, a cup of coffee in the morning may not feel the same as it would be during a cooler time of the year. If you consume caffeinated beverages before heading out, you should be aware of how much caffeine you will actually be able to handle when it is hot outside.
When the temperature rises, stresses on the body increase. The heart needs to pump blood at a faster rate than usual, causing the body to sweat more. Therefore, drinking caffeinated beverages will amplify this effect, especially when engaging in exercise or training.
While this may not be a reason to avoid drinking caffeinated drinks altogether, you should pay attention to how caffeine may impact you whilst working in hot conditions.
For most healthy adults, the upper range of caffeine tolerance is about 400 mg per day. This average is based on normal conditions, and you may have to lower your intake on hot days. When spending time in the extreme heat of Ocean City, you should drink a lot of water in between sips of caffeine.
Consider the way you would feel about consuming caffeine, especially if you plan on doing intense exercise or working. If you don’t think you would feel good, reconsider it. Here are some groups that should be more cautious.
Younger bodies are particularly responsive to caffeine and other stimulants. Therefore, experts recommend limiting caffeine to 100mg daily or less for teens and avoiding energy shots entirely in extreme heat.
During pregnancy, caffeine remains in the body longer than at other times. Therefore, the safest option is for pregnant women to not consume more than 200 milligrams of caffeine daily and drink plenty of fluids throughout their pregnancy, particularly in the hot summer months.
Always seek the advice of a health care professional or pharmacist if you are taking medications that can potentially increase your heart rate, raise your blood pressure or interact with caffeine. This is especially important when the medications are taken in conjunction with caffeine and high temperatures.
When you workout at the beach, reduce your usual caffeine dose by half and add electrolytes or water. When you are driving, consider taking smaller doses of caffeine spaced out over time. This will provide more energy than one large dose. If you are just done swimming, take a moment to cool down before taking caffeine because even if the water feels refreshing, your core temperature is still elevated.
Caffeine may get all the attention, but sugar is equally important in hot weather. Sugary drinks may increase dehydration and cause a quick ‘crash down’ feeling. Here are some things to look at:
The Amount of Total Sugar Per Serving Size (note that this isn't always accurate)
If there is a Lower Sugar Option Available
For adults who are trying to maintain focus while avoiding sugary options, sugar-free alternatives would be beneficial. If you want a continuous supply of energy, but don’t want to have the sweetness associated with it, try 5-Hour energy Regular Strength. You don’t have to compromise your energy boost when trying to stay away from sugar.
Make sure that any beverage you drink includes water. The easiest way to do so is to drink one glass of water for every caffeinated beverage. If you are sweating excessively from heat, add electrolytes to your diet.
The combination of enjoying caffeine with spending time in the sun can be fun if you pay close attention to your caffeinated beverage's caffeine content, and how caffeine and the heat may affect your body. You should always use moderation when consuming caffeine and sugar. Consider any medical conditions or medications when determining your overall caffeine consumption.
Combining all the above tips will allow you to experience the benefits of caffeine without placing an excess burden on your body during the hottest time of the year in Ocean City.
