• Diet Soda or Water: Study Reveals Which Drink Is More Effective for Weight Loss

  Sugar-free soft drinks may be just as effective as plain water for weight loss, according to researchers at the University of Liverpool in the UK. Their conclusion is based on a two-year randomized trial involving nearly 500 people who were overweight or living with obesity...

• Women Are Breaking Their Ribs for ‘Tiny’ Waists: Extreme New Procedure Raises Medical Concerns

  The beauty industry has reached a point that would have seemed unimaginable only a few years ago: it is now possible to alter not only body fat, breasts or facial features, but the shape of the ribs themselves. A procedure known as rib remodelling involves deliberately damaging the lower ribs in an attempt to make the waist appear significantly narrower, The Independent reports...

• Kim Kardashian Is Hooked on a ‘Longevity Capsule,’ but Doctors Sound the Alarm

  Kim Kardashian is betting on more than just maintaining a perfect figure — she is now focusing on longevity as well. One of the star’s latest obsessions is hyperbaric oxygen therapy, a treatment popular among celebrities and professional athletes. Doctors, however, warn that its ability to extend the lifespan of healthy people has yet to be proven, and that some devices can be dangerous, according to the New York Post...

• Your Smartphone Could Be Stealing Years of Your Life: Scientists Warn of the Consequences of Endless Scrolling

  Spending hours scrolling through social media may have far more serious consequences for health than previously thought. According to a major scientific review, excessive screen use is linked to millions of years of life lived with mental health disorders...

• Popular Weight-Loss Drugs Could Deprive the Brain of Energy, Expert Warns

  As GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy, continue to surge in popularity, experts are warning that losing weight too quickly and severely restricting calorie intake could deprive the brain of essential energy and nutrients...

• Cheese Is Fine, but Go Easy on the Butter: Scientists Reveal Which Fatty Foods Are Actually Healthy

  For years, we were told that fatty foods were bad for us: people were advised to replace whole milk with skimmed milk, butter with spreads, and eat cheese as rarely as possible. But new research suggests the picture is more complicated...

• Just Two Spoonfuls a Day: Scientists Find an Unexpected Link Between Tomatoes and Memory

  A diet rich in fruits and vegetables has long been associated with better memory. Now, Spanish scientists have identified another potential link: ordinary tomatoes may influence brain function — and the key could be lycopene, a powerful antioxidant...

• Beauty with a Surprise: Scientists Find Microscopic Mites Under Eyelash Extensions

  Women who regularly get eyelash extensions may be highly likely to have microscopic mites living on their lashes, according to a new study cited by the Telegraph...

 As summer temperatures soar, many turn to cold showers for instant relief — but according to researchers, this quick fix might do more harm than good.

A study published by The Conversation warns that plunging into cold water or taking an icy shower doesn’t actually lower your core body temperature the way it might feel on the surface.

“A cold shower may feel refreshing on the skin, but it doesn’t address the real problem — overheating of the internal organs,” the scientists explain.

What Happens to the Body in Cold Water

When the body is suddenly exposed to cold, blood vessels near the skin constrict, limiting blood flow to the surface. This traps heat inside the body, particularly around vital organs.

If the water is too cold, it can trigger what experts call a “cold shock” response — a sudden narrowing of blood vessels, a spike in blood pressure, and an accelerated heart rate. This reaction can be especially dangerous for people with cardiovascular conditions.

In rare cases, the abrupt temperature shift from extreme heat to cold can lead to arrhythmias or, in severe instances, fatal outcomes.

Safer Ways to Cool Down in the Heat

There’s no need to panic. Cool (but not ice-cold) showers or baths can still be effective and refreshing — if done right.

Experts recommend the following for safe cooling during extreme heat:

• Drink plenty of water and avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate the body.
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing to allow better air circulation.
• Keep blinds and curtains closed during the day to block out the heat.

Staying cool is essential — but doing it safely is just as important.

Follow NEWS.am STYLE on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram