Drinking Cold Water – Is It A Wise Choice?

Many have this habit of drinking a cup of warm water every morning. Why not, the body can easily absorb warm water and has a soothing effect on the stomach. But how good is it to drink cold water? Is it bad to drink cold water, that too in hot summer conditions? Does the habit affect the long-term health? Read on to learn the consequences of drinking cold water. We help you find out the benefits and disadvantages of drinking cold and warm water.

Is It Bad To Drink Cold Water?

It is a common assumption that drinking cold water is a bad habit that affects the long-term health. The stomach may get contracted and harder for the food to get digested due to cold water. Moreover, the body needs to work harder to maintain the normal internal temperature of 37-degree centigrade.

According to a small 15-member study, drinking cold water can thicken the nasal mucous and make air difficult to pass through the respiratory tract. In contrast, warm water or soup helped breath easy.

Cold water consumption may lead to further nose congestion, when already suffering with nasal ailments like flu or cold. Many studies have linked cold water consumption with triggering of migraines in people (1) with the existing condition.

Also, the pain related to achalasia worsens with cold water consumption (2). Achalasia is a condition that restricts the body’s ability to pass through the esophagus. Most drink cold water in combination with hot meal, which clearly creates an imbalance. Drinking cold water on a hot day may not help either.

Are There Any Advantages Of Drinking Cold Water?

Drinking cold water may be beneficial particularly when exercising as it can keep the body away from overheating and result in the more successful workout sessions. Cold water helps maintain a lower core temperature.

Even though drinking cold water is not straight away linked to weight-loss treatment, it may be a better alternative to sugary beverages and helps with the digestion. Drinking water, even if it is on the cooler side, helps maintain the body’s weight by burning calories.

However, drinking plain water has been proven to maintain the body’s overall well-being all through the day.

What Happens When You Drink Cold Water?

When you drink cold beverages, blood vessels shrink, hydration may be hindered and digestion may be restricted. Body spends energy to regulate the temperature when you drink cold water, instead of focusing on digesting food and absorbing nutrients. As a result more water is lost.

As mentioned earlier, excess more mucus is generated in your body. Immune system functioning may get decreased thereby making the body catch illness and cold. The temperature of cold water you consume along with meals, cause solidification of fats from the foods you just ate. Thus, the body finds hard to digest unwanted fats.

According to Ayurveda, cold water minimizes the strength of Agni (fire), leading to issues like indigestion and toxin accumulation.

The Chinese started drinking warm water and warm tea that can enhance digestion and allows the body to enhance digestion, absorb nutrients and generate energy.

Why Is It Good To Drink Warm Water?

On the other hand, drinking warm water means to soothe the stomach, especially in people with stomach ailments. Irrespective of the temperature, low hydration levels slow down the body’s metabolism (3). The habit of regularly drinking water can lead more better habits. For example, when you opt for a glass of water instead of a soft drink, you automatically take in lesser calories, keeping the weight under control. Be properly hydrated to stay away from the food cravings.

Warm water can help aid with the digestion, help with circulation and helps remove toxins from the body.

Consumption of warm water can make you less thirsty. However, be careful when you are losing the body’s water through sweating. Warm water opens your pores (4) and makes skin feel looser.

Other benefits include increased hydration and faster hydration.

1. 1. Natural digestive enzymes are stimulated.

1. 1. Foods can break down easily.

1. 1. Bowel movement gets better with warm water consumption in combination with lemon every morning.

1. Purifies blood and increases the natural detoxification process of the body.

On the whole, it is essential to keep the body hydrated as water is the essential component of the body. Around 80% of the body is made up of water. Consumption of water at the appropriate temperature, and proper quantity at regular intervals is important to promote and maintain proper health.

Benefits Of Staying Hydrated:

Stay hydrated to maintain physical as well as the mental health. According to research, body would be forced to regulate itself, when one drinks cold water. A study conducted in 2013 has revealed that participants who consumed ice water experienced more 30% metabolism, thereby burning an additional 100 calories per day. However, body’s metabolic rate not increases just because of drinking cold water, but even with drinking plain water in general.

In conclusion, the debate of whether drinking cold water is good or bad is never-ending. However, getting into the habit of drinking normal water or warm water may gradually show dramatic improvement in the body’s digestion process. So, next time you feel thirst go for ice-free water!

FAQs:

1. Is it Good To Drink Cold Water After The Meal?

According to Chinese culture, drinking cold water after a meal is bad for health. It is believed to affect the body’s overall digestion.

When you drink chilled water, the digestive tract constricts, making the process tough. The hampered digestive system does not get enough proteins and nutrients for the organs to function well.

2. How Does The Digestion Process Get Affected When You Drink Cold Water?

The enzymes of our body work at 37-42 degree centigrade. When you drink cold water, the body’s energy is spent in warming up the cold liquid than digesting food. Thus, the digestion is believed to take longer time and make the body feel tired when you drink chilled water.