Romanian heat wave prompts health‑focused diet advice and turns malls into cool refuges

Health authorities advise Romanians to limit large, protein‑rich meals during extreme heat, as heavy foods raise body temperature and increase thirst. The World Health Organization recommends small, frequent portions and cautions against excessive salty, fried or sugary items, while the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adds that sugary drinks, high caffeine and alcohol should be reduced. These guidelines aim to prevent discomfort, dehydration and complications for people with hypertension, heart or kidney conditions.

At the same time, Romania’s major shopping centres have become popular cooling shelters. Shoppers use air‑conditioned malls mainly to escape near‑40 °C temperatures, often stopping at cafés rather than making purchases. Retailers have responded by launching sales up to six weeks early and offering deeper discounts to stimulate spending amid an economic slowdown. Data from the National Institute of Statistics show a 5.5 % drop in non‑food retail sales in the first five months of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier, reflecting heightened consumer caution.