Most people reach for a cup of coffee or a cold cup of water right upon waking up. But, it turns out that in order to get the most benefits of drinking liquid in the morning you should enjoy a warm cup of water instead. Multiple studies have shown that drinking warm water on an empty stomach offers a wide plethora of health benefits and is one of the best ways to jump-start your day for maximum productivity.
Whether cold or warm water – the most important thing is to stay hydrated and listen to your body. Our bodies have their own innate intelligence and often tell us what we need to know.
When you’re working out or the weather is hot outside, you’ll likely crave ice water. But when you’re sick with a cold you will be more inclined to want hot water. It’s still good to know the science behind the best times for cold vs. warm water!
Here's a short list outlining some of those health benefits:
1. It Relieves Pain – Drinking warm water has the ability to reduce swelling in the throat, which in turn provides a temporary pain relief. It indeed works wonders for irritated and dry throats, too. This is especially useful during mornings when you wake up with a dry throat which causes you pain as you swallow. Amazingly, a notable improvement can be experienced after taking the first sip of warm water. Ultimately, warm water also soothes cramps by relaxing the muscles of the stomach.
2. Improves Bowel Movements- A study done by the Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility has shown that up to 58 percent of patients suffering from achalasia, a condition in which the muscles of the lower part of the oesophagus fail to relax, experienced notable improvement in their condition after drinking warm water. Drinking a glass of warm water on an empty stomach is a good way to stimulate the colon to move the bowels easier. In addition, it sets the body for better absorption of food during the day.
3. Improves Circulation- Drinking warm water improves blood flow in the body's circulatory system. It has been scientifically shown that when the body is exposed to warm temperature, the blood cell flow initially raises by a dramatic amount. Then, it drops back to normal rate of blood flow and starts to gradually increase the longer it is exposed to the warmth. Warm water basically improves circulation by warming up the body from within. Drinking warm water when you’re constipated can help to move things along. The main cause of constipation is dehydration, so it’s essential to consume extra amounts of liquids. Warm water helps to stimulate blood flow and has a more soothing effect in the intestines than cold water.
4. Weight Loss- While staying well hydrated is generally beneficial for weight loss, it turns out that taking it warm is the best way to consume this liquid. In a study done by Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine focused on a group of overweight women who were given large amount of warm water. At the end of the study, it was found that women had experienced a notable decrease in appetite, weight, and body mass index.
Digestion- Ever wonder why most people consume a hot beverage upon rising? Yes caffeine has something to do with it, but that’s not the only reason. Ayurvedic medicine states that drinking warm water in the morning helps to stimulate digestion. Susan E. Brown, PhD also states that drinking cold water with a meal can have adverse effects on the digestive process. It requires more energy from the body to warm up cool liquids and foods, thus taking a longer time to digest and assimilate. Good to know for those of us suffering from digestive distress!
Why Is Drinking Cold Water Bad For You?
Having a glass of cold water on a hot, summer day is one of the best feelings ever! It indeed helps cool down in a matter of seconds, but it does many other things to your body at the same time. Unfortunately, those things are anything but good for you. Cold water constricts the blood vessels, which in turn reduces hydration Drinking cold water causes the body to work hard to digest food as cold liquids solidify the fats in the bloodstream The body expands energy when you drink cold water in order to heat it up and use it Cold water forms excess mucus in the respiratory system, leading to congestion and higher risk of infections like throat infection.
However, Here’s Best Times to Drink Cold Water
Exercise
During exercise the core body temperature becomes elevated. Sweating is one mechanism that our bodies use to cool down, but we lose a lot of water and electrolytes which need to be replenished. Sipping on cold water during a workout both rehydrates the body of lost water and helps to cool down the core body temperature. A study done in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition compared room temperature water and cold water during workouts. Researchers found participants who consumed cold water were able to keep their core temperature down 50% longer than the group consuming room temperature water (1).
Fever
Drinking cold water when you have a fever is one method of cooling the body down. It’s important to keep super hydrated when you have a fever because you’re body is working hard to get rid of whatever foreign invaders may be causing you harm. When you’re overheated, drinking cold water can be a huge relief. Try squeezing some fresh lemon and adding a pinch of sea salt to help replenish lost electrolytes.
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