Do
you reach out for a bottle of icy cold water to quench your thirst
after a tired day in the sun? Well, hold it right there. Before you go
ahead and gulp it down, find out whether drinking cold water is actually
good for you or not.
You must have had people recommending you to drink warm water instead of cold water. Some restaurants even serve their customers with a glass of warm water unless asked otherwise. But is warm water really better than that tempting glass of cold water? Read on to find out.
Many are of the opinion that drinking cold water can do you more harm than good. This belief comes from the idea that cold water may cause your stomach to contract, thereby making it harder for the food to digest after a meal. Some individuals also believe that your body will have to work harder to maintain the optimal inner temperature (37°C) if the water you are drinking is at a temperature of 4°C or less.
Are these beliefs true? Well, maybe partly.
According
to a small study carried out in 1978 and published in Chest, drinking
cold water was found to make nasal mucus thicker and consequently more
difficult to pass through the respiratory tract. Comparatively, drinking
hot water or beverages like chicken soup was observed to make breathing
easier. Cold water was also found to aggravate congestion in those who
had cold or flu.
In another study conducted in 2001, drinking cold water was linked to triggering migraine in those who already experience it. The pain related to another condition called achalasia (a condition that makes it difficult for food to pass through the esophagus) can also get worse when you drink cold water with a meal.
Also, according to Chinese medicine, drinking cold water with meals is believed to create an imbalance within the body. Hence, meals in the Chinese culture, as well as several other cultures around the world, are served with warm water.
Another popular belief is that drinking cold water doesn’t actually help your body cool down on a hot summer day. However, there is no sufficient scientific evidence to back this claim.
So, does this mean that cold water has only cons? Or does it have any potential benefits? Let’s find out.
Another benefit of drinking water, in general, irrespective of its temperature, is its ability to provide your body with more energy throughout the day.
Drinking water is also good for digestion and can help you maintain a healthy weight as compared to its sugary counterparts. It can also help you burn a few extra calories as your body will have to work harder to maintain its optimal core temperature when you drink cold water.
However, if you think that simply drinking more water (whether hot or cold) can jump-start your weight loss, that’s not true. But it may assist other weight loss programs in working better.
What’s the final verdict? Should you continue drinking cold water or switch to hot water? Find out in the next section.
With all the information available, we can conclude that drinking cold water can help keep us hydrated while also providing us with energy. However, drinking cold water may not be such a great idea when you have a cold or flu as it can slow down your recovery. Cold water is also associated with reduced digestion.
However, you cannot ignore the cons of drinking cold water. You can take a few sips of icy water after a rigorous workout or after a tiring day at work. But if you indulge in a heavy meal or have the flu, hot/warm water is your best bet.
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You must have had people recommending you to drink warm water instead of cold water. Some restaurants even serve their customers with a glass of warm water unless asked otherwise. But is warm water really better than that tempting glass of cold water? Read on to find out.
Table Of Contents
- Why Is Cold Water Bad For You?
- Benefits Of Drinking Cold Water
- Is Warm (Or Hot) Water Better Than Cold Water?
Why Is Cold Water Bad For You?
Many health-conscious people advocate drinking enough water daily and staying hydrated to stay healthy. But, this may not be the case with cold water.Many are of the opinion that drinking cold water can do you more harm than good. This belief comes from the idea that cold water may cause your stomach to contract, thereby making it harder for the food to digest after a meal. Some individuals also believe that your body will have to work harder to maintain the optimal inner temperature (37°C) if the water you are drinking is at a temperature of 4°C or less.
Are these beliefs true? Well, maybe partly.
In another study conducted in 2001, drinking cold water was linked to triggering migraine in those who already experience it. The pain related to another condition called achalasia (a condition that makes it difficult for food to pass through the esophagus) can also get worse when you drink cold water with a meal.
Also, according to Chinese medicine, drinking cold water with meals is believed to create an imbalance within the body. Hence, meals in the Chinese culture, as well as several other cultures around the world, are served with warm water.
Another popular belief is that drinking cold water doesn’t actually help your body cool down on a hot summer day. However, there is no sufficient scientific evidence to back this claim.
So, does this mean that cold water has only cons? Or does it have any potential benefits? Let’s find out.
Benefits Of Drinking Cold Water
Drinking cold water can prevent your body from overheating following a rigorous workout session or during exercising. This could be because consumption of cold water can make it easier for your body to maintain a lower core temperature.Another benefit of drinking water, in general, irrespective of its temperature, is its ability to provide your body with more energy throughout the day.
Drinking water is also good for digestion and can help you maintain a healthy weight as compared to its sugary counterparts. It can also help you burn a few extra calories as your body will have to work harder to maintain its optimal core temperature when you drink cold water.
However, if you think that simply drinking more water (whether hot or cold) can jump-start your weight loss, that’s not true. But it may assist other weight loss programs in working better.
What’s the final verdict? Should you continue drinking cold water or switch to hot water? Find out in the next section.
Is Warm (Or Hot) Water Better Than Cold Water?
Drinking warm water has its pros and cons. Warm water can aid digestion, improve circulation, and also help your body get rid of toxins faster. But, drinking warm water may make you less thirsty, which can be dangerous on hot days when your body tends to lose more water through sweating.With all the information available, we can conclude that drinking cold water can help keep us hydrated while also providing us with energy. However, drinking cold water may not be such a great idea when you have a cold or flu as it can slow down your recovery. Cold water is also associated with reduced digestion.
However, you cannot ignore the cons of drinking cold water. You can take a few sips of icy water after a rigorous workout or after a tiring day at work. But if you indulge in a heavy meal or have the flu, hot/warm water is your best bet.
Source Click here
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