Experts say it’s not just drinking water that can help keep you cool during the current heatwave - with one revealing a surprising trick that has previously been tested in studies15:49, 26 May 2026Updated 15:59, 26 May 2026With the UK heatwave in full swing, many people will be searching for ways to stay cool in the sweltering temperatures. While drinking plenty of water remains essential, there are also a number of lesser-known tricks that may help your body feel cooler in the heat.‌Alexander Matveenko, a climate tech expert and co-founder of Rainbow Weather, has a surprising way to stay cool this summer that athletes reportedly swear by.‌According to him, swishing peppermint in your mouth before spitting it out can create an instant cooling sensation.‌"Swish peppermint and spit it out. This ritual triggers your body's built-in cold receptors, creating an instant cooling sensation head to toe. Elite athletes swear by it in hot competitions," he said.Science also supports the idea that menthol, a naturally occurring compound found in peppermint, can help people feel cooler in hot conditions.‌A 2021 study published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism found that athletes who used a menthol-containing energy gel during training reported a greater cooling sensation compared with those given a placebo.Another 2020 meta-analysis examined whether menthol affects how people experience heat and perform during exercise. Researchers reviewed multiple studies and found that menthol consistently made participants feel cooler and slightly more comfortable while exercising in warm conditions.In some cases, it also appeared to improve endurance performance, particularly when applied externally and used in hotter environments.‌However, despite the stronger cooling sensation, menthol did not significantly change key physiological markers such as core body temperature, sweat production, or heart rate. Researchers concluded that menthol mainly alters the perception of heat rather than physically cooling the body itself.According to nutritionist and wellness coach Simone Thomas, peppermint offers "a natural way to cool down" because menthol stimulates the body’s cooling receptors.‌Speaking to The Mirror, she added that peppermint is "easy to grow in the garden or in pots, and cheap to pick up in the supermarket".But for those who cannot face drinking hot peppermint tea in warm weather, she suggested freezing it into ice cubes to use later in the day, or adding fresh mint to a jug of water for a refreshing herbal-infused drink.Meanwhile, a sleep expert has revealed how to reduce frequent trips to the toilet at night while still staying hydrated during the heatwave.Article continues belowMaryanne Taylor, sleep consultant and founder of The Sleep Works, recommends eating water-rich foods such as cucumber, watermelon and celery to help maintain hydration levels.She also advises drinking more fluids earlier in the day and cutting back on large amounts of liquid in the hour or two before bed to help minimise night time bathroom trips.