Most people believe that drinking cold water is harmful to health and can cause long-term damage. They think cold water causes the stomach to contract, making digestion difficult after meals, and that it disrupts the body’s ability to maintain an internal temperature of 37°C.
The answer is that there is no evidence proving cold water is harmful. Both cold and room-temperature water help prevent dehydration.
Potential Risks of Cold Water:
A 1978 study found that drinking cold water thickens mucus in the nose, making it harder to pass through the respiratory tract.
In contrast, warm water or chicken soup can aid breathing. Cold water might worsen symptoms of colds or flu.
A 2001 study indicated that cold water could trigger migraines in individuals prone to them.
Some believe that cold water doesn’t help cool the body in hot weather, but there’s no research confirming this.
Benefits:
Cold water has its benefits as well. A 201 study showed that drinking cold water during exercise helps prevent overheating and enhances physical performance.
Drinking water, regardless of temperature, helps burn extra calories after meals because the body works harder to maintain its temperature.
However, cold water isn’t highly effective for weight loss.Simple or warm water can improve digestive functions, aid blood circulation, and help the body expel toxins more quickly.
Reports suggest that warm water can reduce thirst better than cold water, though it might lead to dehydration in hot weather if it reduces water intake.