Can you really have an intolerance to hot drinks?

This blog is not just about coffee and caffeine intolerance; oh no! There are actually other reasons why you may not be able to drink hot drinks. If you have a heat intolerance, you will have an adverse response to high temperatures. However, if you suspect you have an intolerance to hot drinks, your body’s reaction is more likely to be triggered by the contents of your cup. In our latest blog, we look at some of the most common drinks to be intolerant to, the symptoms you could be experiencing and how to find out whether your favourite brew is making you feel unwell.

An intolerance to hot drinks or a lactose intolerance?

It’s not unusual to top up your tea or coffee with milk, especially if you dislike it too strongly. But if you have a lactose intolerance, you could be experiencing unpleasant symptoms such as bloating, stomach cramps and an upset stomach. This happens if your body has difficulty digesting the sugar found in milk and other dairy products because it doesn’t have enough of the lactase enzyme. A lactose intolerance is one of the most common food sensitivities in the UK, so feeling unwell after a milky drink isn’t as uncommon as you might think. Luckily, there are plenty of dairy-free alternatives available, so if you think you have an intolerance to your favourite cuppa, try giving almond or oat milk a try.

Is drinking too much caffeine the same as a caffeine intolerance?

Coffee is the go-to drink if you want a caffeine boost throughout the day. While a lot of us benefit from the energy and mental clarity it provides, it is possible to experience an overreaction to coffee and other caffeinated drinks. When this occurs, you’ll experience intolerance symptoms such as a headache, an anxious, jittery feeling, insomnia and diarrhoea, even after consuming a small dose. If this all sounds familiar, and you get an adrenaline rush after just a few sips, try switching to de-caff and see if you notice a difference.

Find out if you have an intolerance to your favourite hot drinks

Because symptoms can kick in hours after consuming hot drinks, an intolerance can be difficult to pinpoint, which is where we can help you. Simply send 4/5 strands of your hair to our lab with an intolerance test submission form, and we’ll test your cells’ reactivity against a range of food and non-food items. Within a few days, you’ll receive a report detailing the foods and compounds that are most likely to provoke a reaction so you can decide whether to avoid them in the future. Once you have a better understanding of your body, you can plan your diet accordingly and enjoy a hot drink that won’t impact your health.

Contact UK Food Intolerance to improve your wellbeing

You can order a food intolerance test from our website or find out more information about how they work on our FAQs page. If you have any questions about our tests, please send an email to [email protected] or fill out your details on our contact form.