Staying hydrated has been shown to
provide mental and physical health advantages.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
recommends that men 19 and older consume 3.7 liters of water per day (15.5
cups) and women 19 and older consume 2.7 liters per day (11.5 cups). But can
drinking cold water harm your health?
Some say that drinking cold water is a bad habit that can hurt
your health in the long run. This concept came from the idea that drinking cold
water causes your stomach to contract, making it more difficult to digest food
after a meal.
Some people believe that if you drink water that is near the
temperature of ice, or less than 36°F (4°C), your body needs to work harder to
maintain its internal temperature of 98.6°F (37°C).
Is there any truth to these ideas, however? Continue reading to
learn more about the risks and benefits of drinking cold water.
Risks
Coldwater affects your body that you might not anticipate or
want—drinking cold water made nasal mucous thicker and more difficult to pass
through the respiratory tract, according to a 1978 study involving 15 people.
Chicken soup and hot water, on the other hand, helped patients
breathe more freely, according to the researchers. If you're trying to get rid
of a cold or flu, drinking cold water could make things worse.
Some health conditions can be worsened by drinking cold water.
Drinking cold water has been associated with migraine triggering in people who
already have migraine, according to a 2001 study.
According to a 2012 study, the significant impact of achalasia, a
condition that limits your body's ability to pass food through your esophagus,
can be worsened by drinking cold water with a meal.
Drinking cold water with hot food creates an imbalance in
traditional Chinese medicine. Meals are typically served with warm water or hot
tea in Chinese culture. Several other cultures around the world share this
view.
Some people believe that drinking cold water on a hot day will not
help you cool off. There isn't enough evidence to say whether either belief is
right or wrong.
Benefits
Drinking cold water does have benefits.
According to a 2012 study, drinking cold water during exercise can
help avoid heat and improve the efficiency of your workout. This is likely
because drinking cold water helps your body maintain a lower core temperature.
Can drinking cold water help with weight loss?
Drinking plain water, no matter the temperature has been
associated with lower calorie intake throughout the day.
Even if the water you drink is on the cold side, drinking water
instead of sugary beverages is suitable for digestion and keeping a healthy
weight.
Because your body needs to work harder to maintain its core
temperature when drinking cold water, you may burn a few extra calories as you
digest it. However, it's doubtful that drinking cold water can help you lose
weight quickly.
Is warm or hot water better than cold water?
Drinking warm water can:
- help digestion
- aid in circulation
- assist the body in getting rid of toxins faster
While this isn't a "risk," per se, it's something to
keep in mind as you decide how you'd like to get water in your body.
It has been found that drinking warm or hot water decreases
thirst. This can be dangerous in summer weather when your body is attempting to
cool itself through sweat. If you choose to drink warm water, keep in mind that
you may not be as thirsty as you should be.
Takeaway
Some people prefer not to drink cold water. It's probably not a
good idea to drink cold water if you have a cold or flu or any chronic illness
that causes your digestion to slow down.
However, while some cultures believe that drinking cold water
causes a considerable health danger to everyone, there isn't much evidence to
support this claim. However, there are significant benefits to drinking warm
water.
So, what are the advantages of drinking cold water? It turns out
that they have the same benefits as drinking regular room-temperature water:
they keep you hydrated and refreshed.
If you're concerned about your digestion, trying to maintain a healthy weight, or thinking you're dehydrated regularly, talk to your doctor about a medication regimen.