The British Red Cross has advised Brits to eat four specific foods—strawberries, cucumber, celery, and lettuce—to help stay hydrated and cool as a severe heatwave continues across the UK. The rare red heat alert issued by the Met Office covers much of southern and central England and Wales, with temperatures reaching 38°C on Thursday after Wednesday's record-breaking 36.1°C, the hottest June day ever recorded.
What to Eat in Hot Weather
The British Red Cross stated: "When it's hot, you are far better off sticking to light, well-balanced, regular meals. Food with a high water content, like strawberries, cucumber, celery, and lettuce, will also help to keep you hydrated and cool in summer weather." These foods are high in water content, aiding hydration during the oppressive heat.
What to Avoid
The charity also warned against alcohol and caffeine during the heatwave. Alcohol can disrupt sleep, while caffeine is a diuretic that may cause fluid loss and increase body temperature. The Red Cross advised limiting alcohol consumption, especially in the evening, and avoiding caffeinated drinks to reduce dehydration risk.
Heatwave Impacts
The Met Office has described the heat and humidity as "oppressive," posing risks to public health, infrastructure, and power and water supplies. Hundreds of schools have closed, and trains have faced significant delays or cancellations. The red alert is in effect from 9am Wednesday until late Thursday night, with an amber warning continuing across much of England and Wales through Friday and Saturday.
Met Office Chief Forecaster Matthew Lehnert said: "This is exceptional heat for June with temperature records expected to be broken this week. Red warnings are reserved for the most severe events, and we're expecting significant impacts from this heatwave, with health issues likely, even beyond those who are more vulnerable to the heat. High humidity is an additional factor for this heatwave, which will mean the heat will feel much more potent for many. When you couple all of this with the high overnight temperatures, with temperatures likely to stay above 20°C for large parts of England and Wales, these combined impacts all increase the potential for significant impacts."
