Limit coffee, liquor intake during El Niño, says DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reminded the public to reduce drinking hot coffee and alcoholic beverages to prevent dehydration during this warm season, moreso when El Niño comes.

During a Kapihan session, DOH Health Promotion Bureau- Health Environment Division chief Dr. Rosalind Vianzon said the number one rule during these hot months is to stay hydrated.

By doing so, she explained that people should drink at least eight glasses of water every day, and stay off the beverages that could cause dehydration, such as alcohol.

“Mainit na nga, iinom ka pa lagi ng kape, ‘di ba lagi kang magi-init? Hindi naman bawal, but we have to limit ‘yung mga intake of hot food, hot meals, hot drinks, and of course, alcohol,” Vianzon said.

(If it’s already hot and you always drink coffee, you will feel hotter. It is not forbidden, but we have to limit the intake of hot food, hot meals, hot drinks, and of course, alcohol.)

As to the food, she cautioned against eating those with too much spices.

“Spices are really considered to be causing dehydration and are not really recommended during hot months,” Vianzon added.

Additionally, DOH Health Emergency Management Bureau’s Maria Belinda Evangelista pointed out that those with coconut milk and tomato are the ones that spoil the fastest, especially during this warm season.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Saturday said they would likely issue an El Niño alert in May as the chances of the weather phenomenon taking place had increased.

The El Niño phenomenon is characterized by the abnormal warming of sea surface temperature in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean and below normal rainfall. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News