GEORGE TOWN: In the sweltering afternoon heat, it is hard to miss the long queue forming along Penang Road. Tourists and locals alike gather around a small roadside stall, drawn by one thing – a cold glass of Ais Tingkap.
First created in 1919, the drink is a simple but distinctive mix of coconut water and flesh, soaked basil seeds, rose cordial, canned lychee and a closely guarded, nut-based brew.
For generations, it has been a go-to remedy for the island’s relentless heat.
At the iconic stall, entrepreneur Ezill Hazrill Roslan and his wife, Noor Sheilla Mansor, were among those waiting patiently in the sun yesterday, each hoping for a brief escape from the heat.
Like many others, Ezill, 45, said the current hot spell has pushed them towards cold, sweet drinks to quench their thirst, even as he remains mindful of the health impact.
“Sweet drinks are very satisfying, but I know they’re not good for health,” he said.
Noor Sheilla, 40, admitted that Ais Tingkap is difficult to resist but said she makes sure her family drinks plenty of water as well.
“With weather like this, there’s always the urge to go for something sweet,” she said.
There may be some scientific basis for that craving.
Universiti Sains Malaysia family medicine specialist Dr Mastura Mohd Sopian said cold drinks create an immediate cooling sensation that reduces discomfort, even if core body temperature does not change much.
“The tongue and throat respond quickly to cold, and the brain interprets that as relief,” she said.
She added that sweetness signalled energy, making the body feel refreshed during heat fatigue.
Sweating, she said, leads to the loss of water and electrolytes such as sodium and potassium.
Such factors, she said, explained the popularity of drinks like coconut water and sugarcane juice.
“Coconut water is a better option, as it contains natural electrolytes, particularly potassium.
“Water replaces body fluids, but not electrolytes,” she said, noting that drinks like coconut water supported hydration due to their natural mineral content.
Penang Health Department nutritionist S. Thirukkanesh said sweet and cold drinks can enhance the perception of cooling and provide a quick energy boost.
He said sugary drinks stimulated the brain’s reward system, as sugar triggered the release of dopamine, the “feel-good” chemical.
“In hot weather, people tend to feel fatigued, and the brain quickly associates sweet and cold drinks with relief and pleasure. Sugar also provides a quick energy boost,” he said.
However, both experts stressed moderation, as many popular drinks are high in sugar.
