If you’re in Nevada, California, or Arizona this week, put down the coffee.Your life could depend on it.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a dire warning as record-shattering temperatures sweep the Southwest. With highs expected to soar past 115°F—and Death Valley pushing a scorching 120°F—officials are urging residents to skip caffeine and protein-heavy meals to avoid deadly dehydration and heat stroke.
Even iced coffee and sodas are off the table. Why? Because caffeine is a diuretic—it tells your kidneys to flush out water, speeding up fluid loss. When the body loses more water than it takes in, blood volume drops. That’s when things get dangerous: vital organs like the brain, heart, and kidneys can’t function properly, and the body’s cooling system (sweating) shuts down. The result? Heatstroke, which can kill in minutes.
And it’s not just drinks. Protein-rich meals like steak and chicken also raise internal temperatures through a process called diet-induced thermogenesis. In extreme heat, that extra warmth could push your body over the edge.
The Southwest isn’t alone. Even Alaska has issued its first-ever heat advisory. Experts say heat-related deaths in the U.S.—already killing 1,200 annually—could triple in the coming decades.
To stay safe, NWS urges people to drink plenty of water or sports drinks, avoid alcohol and caffeine, and eat hydrating foods like watermelon, cucumber, and berries. Avoid sitting in cars, where interior temperatures can become lethal in minutes.
