02/07/2025

LYFE WEDNESDAY | JULY 2, 2025

24

Perspiration matters

N OT everyone handles the heat in the same way. Some people breeze through scorching days, while others seem to wilt in the warmth. What lies behind these different coping abilities? The answer can be found in a combination of physical traits, genetic influences and behavioural habits. When the warm weather arrives, two distinct camps emerge: those who love the heat and those who hate it. And each tribe has its own rituals and interests. The former dream all year round of jetting off to sun-soaked destinations, while the latter head for northern climes to avoid scorching temperatures. A matter of taste, some would say – but, also of physical constitution. Indeed, we are not all equal when it comes to the summer heat. Some people tolerate it less well than others, whether it is a dry or humid kind of heat. These inequalities depend on a number of factors, including age, gender, build and hormonal balance. Human beings are “homeothermic” animals, meaning we keep our core temperature relatively constant despite any changes in the surrounding conditions. But at the same time, our bodies naturally produce heat, which also makes us “endothermic” creatures, like other mammals. When our bodies are exposed to intense heat, they thermoregulate by producing sweat. It is the evaporation of this sweat through the pores of the skin that evacuates the heat, thus lowering the body’s temperature. Biological inequalities But, this internal climate-control system does not work in the same way for everyone. Babies and older people sweat less than adults, which explains why they are so sensitive to ambient heat. They are also more likely to suffer from dehydration, as they do not tend to feel as thirsty. Yet the body

o Why can some people handle heat better than others? needs a sufficient supply of water to produce sweat and adjust its core temperature. In addition to age, our ability to withstand high temperatures depends on our biological sex. The assumption that women are more sensitive to heat than men is confirmed by numerous scientific studies. Research from the Netherlands, published in 2021 in the journal International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health , reported deaths during heatwaves are higher among women than men. These differences are due to a number of possible causes, including differences in height, weight, perspiration, cardiovascular strain and hormones. However, it would be wrong to say women’s greater discomfort in summer is solely linked to biology. It also stems from social factors, with the Dutch researchers explaining women are less likely than men to be well-equipped to cope with the heat due to income inequalities. Changing behaviour to better tolerate heat Heat tolerance is closely linked to lifestyle. When temperatures rise, many people turn on the air conditioning. And this may be a

good idea in the heat of the moment, but it can be less so in the long term. The stronger the air conditioning, the greater the difference with the outside temperature. This puts our bodies to the test when we leave the air-conditioned space. Too severe a change in temperature (over 10°C) can lead to thermal shock, and in the worst case, loss of consciousness or even cardiac arrest. So, it is best to use air conditioners sparingly. Diet also has an impact on our tolerance to high temperatures. Fatty or high-protein foods contain compounds that are relatively difficult to digest. Our bodies have to expend more energy to process them and therefore, generate more heat. That is why we often sweat profusely after eating sausages, burgers and other grilled meats at a barbecue. When the mercury rises, opt for light meals with vegetables, lean meats or fish. Similarly, it is important to limit alcohol consumption.

Some people tolerate heat less well than others, whether it is a dry or humid kind. – PEXELSPIC Generally speaking, it is possible to change your habits to acclimatise better to the heat. And, that is good news as the effects of global warming become more keenly felt. Over the period of February 2023 to January 2024, the global surface air temperature was 1.52°C higher compared with pre-industrial levels of 1850-1900, according to the EU’s Copernicus monitoring programme. In this context, we are going to have to be adaptable if we are to learn to live in a world where our tolerance to heat will be increasingly challenged. – ETX Studio Anna Wintour steps down as US Vogue editor-in-chief after nearly 40 years

MAGAZINE legend Anna Wintour stepped down as editor-in-chief of US Vogue last Thursday after 37 years during which she was often hailed as the single most influential figure in the fashion world. Wintour, 75, was famous for making Vogue’s front covers an authoritative statement on contemporary fashion, and for her total control over the glamorous pages inside. She will no longer run day-to-day editing of the fashion bible, but magazine group owner Conde Nast was quick to scotch suggestions of retirement. She will continue to hold senior roles at the group and remain Vogue’s global editorial director. British-born Wintour came to public renown as the inspiration for The Devil Wears Prada , a hit 2003 novel and 2006 movie, for which Meryl Streep earned an Oscar nomination for her role as tyrannical magazine editor Miranda Priestly. Wintour announced at a staff meeting in New York that US Vogue would seek a new head of editorial content. In remarks reported by the New York Times , she called it “a pivotal decision” but stressed she would not be moving out of her office. “I will be turning all my attention to

Wintour” for her decisive leadership, such as axing work without discussion, she was also a fixture in the front row at catwalk shows with her unchanging bob haircut. A 2015 documentary The September Issue about the monthly magazine featured her ice queen image and steely ambition, but also revealed a warmer human side. Wintour has for many years also run the Met Gala, an extravagant Manhattan charity event that attracts an A-list of dressed-up stars from the worlds of fashion, film, politics and sports. She is a fanatical tennis player and fan, frequently appearing at Grand Slam finals, and a major fundraiser for Democrat politicians including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Joe Biden awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the top US honor, before leaving office in January. As Conde Nast’s chief content officer, she will continue to oversee publications including Vogue, Wired, Vanity Fair, GQ, Conde Nast Traveller and Glamour . For many years, Wintour declined to comment on The Devil Wears Prada , which was written by one of her former assistants, Lauren Weisberger. – AFP

global leadership and working with our team of brilliant editors around the world.” Fashion flagship Wintour was made a British dame in 2017 and in February this year became a companion of honour – an elite recognition. At the ceremony in London, Wintour removed her trademark sunglasses to receive the award and said she had told King Charles III that she had no plans to stop working. Wintour, who was raised in the UK by a British father and an American mother, reigned over Vogue in the heyday of glossy magazines. US Vogue was a staid title when she took it over in 1988, and transformed it into a powerhouse that set trends – and often make or break designers, celebrities and brands. She took the title to a global audience, with huge budgets to spend on models, design, photographs and journalism funded by lavish advertisements and high subscription rates. Vogue remains fashion’s flagship magazine but, like many print publications, has struggled to adapt to the digital era. Known to some as “Nuclear

The film The Devil Wears Parada is based on Wintour’s persona as an overbearing magazine editor-in-chief. – AFPPIC