To begin with, drinking water at a moderate temperature is beneficial for your health as more than half of your body is composed of water. Your body’s water level decreases after performing any activity, hence it is essential to replenish it regularly.
Staying hydrated with water, whether it’s hot or cold, contributes to maintaining a healthy body. Certain individuals believe that hot water has particular benefits such as aiding digestion, easing congestion, and inducing relaxation when compared to drinking cold water.
Despite the lack of scientific research, hot water has been reported to offer several health benefits, according to anecdotal evidence. It is particularly helpful when consumed in the morning or before bedtime.
Hot and warm water offer certain advantages that may come as a surprise to you. By hot, we mean water that falls between the temperature range of 130 to 160°F (54 and 71°C). It’s highly recommended not to consume water that’s hotter than this as there are no therapeutic benefits to burning your mouth and throat.
Although there is a substantial amount of anecdotal evidence supporting the benefits of drinking water, the scientific community has yet to reach a conclusive verdict in many cases. Nonetheless, it is important to acknowledge that drinking water is extremely beneficial for your health. To that end, we wholeheartedly encourage you to consume more water, irrespective of its temperature.
Hot Water Benefits
1. A cup of hot water for congestion relief
Getting a blocked nose is unpleasant, and catching a cold only exacerbates this issue. Drinking a cup of hot water may aid in relieving congestion.
Breathing in the steam produced by hot water can loosen your sinuses, providing a great relief for sinus headaches. Interestingly, this is one of those rare instances where inhaling something isn’t socially unacceptable and won’t harm your political aspirations.
Based on an outdated 2008 research, hot beverages like tea can alleviate symptoms of fatigue, sore throat, coughing, and runny nose. Moreover, the efficiency of the hot beverage improved in comparison to the beverage served at room temperature.
Hot beverages, overall, have proven to be an adversary of the ordinary cold. Although the common cold has no remedy, consuming a cup of hot liquid, such as hot water, tea, or cocoa, can alleviate symptoms during the waiting period for recovery.
Scientists have discovered that consuming warm beverages can:
- clear mucus buildup (which can help relieve a sore throat)
- stem runny noses
- put a pause on coughing fits
- generally relieve common cold symptoms
Great things.
2. Constipation relief from hot water
One of the leading causes of constipation is dehydration, and to alleviate it, drinking water, regardless of its temperature, can help to break up the accumulated stool. While it may be unpleasant to think about, this is an effective way to get your bowels moving once more.
If you ask someone who has cleaned a grill in a fast food restaurant, they will confirm that hot water is more effective than cold water in removing dirt. Research has also supported this practical knowledge among fry cooks. Although water of any temperature can help with constipation, hot water is more beneficial.
In case your digestive system is completely clogged, drinking a couple glasses of warm water could be a helpful solution.
3. Drinking hot water for smooth digestion
Apart from aiding constipation, warm water has been found beneficial for the entire digestive system, as suggested by the studies conducted.
Your entire digestive system is designed to break down food. If warm water aids in this process, then having it in your gastrointestinal tract can significantly simplify their job. According to physics, warm water dissolves substances at a faster rate than cold water, which even applies to sugar – a compound that is usually problematic for digestion.
It is believed that consuming hot water aids in dissolving substances in your stomach, which may be difficult for your digestive system to process. However, there is insufficient concrete evidence to support this theory. Despite this, we still suggest consuming warm water since drinking water of any temperature is beneficial.
One significant danger associated with dehydration is the possibility of harm to the nervous system. Your nerves, like all other parts of your body, require water in order to function properly, whether it be warm or cold. Some research has indicated that consuming water may enhance nervous system performance, regardless of its temperature.
The notion is that heated water is capable of dissolving and eliminating the food that your body might not have been able to digest properly. Additional studies are required to confirm this advantage, even though a study conducted in 2016 found that lukewarm water could potentially have beneficial impacts on bowel movements and the removal of gas after a surgical procedure.
If you believe that consuming hot water can assist in digestion, you may do so without any negative effects for the time being. However, this will not give you abilities like those of Charles Xavier’s extraordinary psychic powers anytime soon. Nevertheless, it could potentially improve your mood and brain activity. Yet, there is no conclusive scientific evidence to support this claim.
4. Staying hydrated with hot water
Okay, you got us. Cold water is likely more effective in hydrating the body. We concede. However, it should be noted that drinking any temperature of water provides benefits. It’s all helpful in hydrating oneself, except for seawater – avoid that one.
It’s impossible to overemphasize the significance of drinking water. Due to ethical concerns, there hasn’t been much investigation on this matter, but it is commonly agreed upon that abstaining from water or any hydrating liquid for three days could potentially result in death.
The Institute of Medicine suggests that women consume 2.3 liters (78 ounces) of water every day, while men should consume 3.3 liters (112 ounces). These amounts take into account the water content present in foods such as fruits, vegetables, and anything that can liquefy.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, participating in intense physical activity, or employed in a hot environment, you will require an increased amount of water. Consider consuming a cup of hot water in the morning and another in the evening. Water is essential for performing all vital bodily functions, thus its significance cannot be overemphasized.
So yeah. Hydration is a benefit that comes with water of any temperature. Make sure you drink more of it.
5. Hot water reduces shivering
Shivering is a bodily response to coldness, aimed at generating warmth internally. Despite its effectiveness, this sensation can be uncomfortable, particularly for professionals like telecoms engineers who require precise movements outside in icy conditions.
When you’re feeling cold, it is scientifically proven that consuming a hot beverage can alleviate or lessen shivering. The ingestion of warm water raises the temperature of your body’s core, which is sufficient enough to satisfy your body’s heat regulation mechanisms and temporarily halt any shivering.
Although lacking concrete scientific evidence, it is commonly believed that warm temperatures have a positive impact on the cardiovascular system and blood circulation. The dilation of arteries and veins due to warmth leads to an increase in blood flow. As a result, warm baths can create a relaxing sensation in the muscles.
While there is a possibility that consuming hot or warm water may have similar effects within your body but on a deeper level, there is currently limited scientific evidence to support this claim. Nevertheless, promoting healthy circulation and maintaining a consistent blood flow are effective measures to prevent arterial and cardiovascular illnesses. Hence, this remains a beneficial approach to consider.
Drinking water may have a positive impact on the nervous system, which could explain why some individuals claim that it helps alleviate their stress.
According to a 2014 study, a few participants claimed that reducing their water intake negatively affected their emotions. They experienced increased restlessness, decreased tranquility, and an overall irritable demeanor. More recent research has demonstrated a link between drinking water and decreased occurrences of depression and anxiety among grown-ups.
Recent science has corroborated the notion that hot tea has mood-boosting benefits, and it’s hard to deny the comfort that comes with a cup. Therefore, consuming warm water in the form of an herbal tea is perfectly acceptable for promoting positive mental health.
If drinking hot water makes you feel better, nobody has the right to criticize you. It’s best to stick to what makes you feel good, especially if it’s something as safe as drinking water. According to a study conducted in 2017, shivering is the body’s natural response to cold, but drinking warm fluids can help to alleviate this.
Subjects wore suits circulated with water that was a bit above freezing, then drank water at a variety of temperatures, including up to 126°F (52°C). Researchers found that drinking the hot water quickly helped the subjects put less work into maintaining their body temperature. That could be handy, the study notes, for people working or exercising in cold conditions.
6. May improve central nervous system function
Insufficient intake of either warm or cold water can harm the functioning of your nervous system, and eventually impact your brain function and mood in a negative way. Recent research conducted in 2019 has indicated that drinking water can boost the activity of the central nervous system and improve mood.
The study demonstrated that consuming water heightened the cognitive function of the individuals engaged in challenging tasks and lessened their self-reported feelings of anxiousness.
It has been suggested by some evidence that cold water is the most effective for rehydration, but consuming water of any temperature can aid in maintaining hydration levels.
The daily recommended water intake for women according to the Institute of Medicine is 78 ounces (2.3 liters) while men are advised to consume 112 ounces (3.3 liters), which takes into account water obtained from food sources such as fruits, vegetables, and anything that turns into liquid.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, participating in intense physical activity, or working in a warm setting, it is important to consume a greater amount of water. A beneficial practice is to begin and conclude your day with a cup of hot water. Water is necessary for your body to carry out vital tasks, making it an immensely valuable resource.
Optimal blood circulation influences various aspects of your health, such as blood pressure and susceptibility to cardiovascular ailments. Immersing yourself in a warm bath aids in the dilation of your circulatory organs, namely arteries and veins, which results in more efficient transport of blood throughout your system.
While drinking hot water could potentially produce comparable outcomes, there is minimal evidence to support this theory. Furthermore, indulging in the warmth of drinking hot water or taking a nighttime bath may aid in achieving a state of relaxation, ultimately leading to a restful sleep.
Drinking hot water can enhance the functions of the central nervous system, which may lead to decreased feelings of anxiety. A 2014 study found that reducing water intake corresponded with decreased levels of satisfaction, calmness, and positive emotions.
Ensuring adequate hydration can result in an uplifted mood and enhanced feelings of calmness.
Although there is no conclusive proof that hot water has a particular advantage in this matter, research from 2020 unveiled that consuming additional water may safeguard the kidneys and diminish waste products in the bloodstream. Furthermore, the Arthritis Foundation contends that drinking water is vital for purging the body, reducing inflammation, maintaining well-lubricated joints, and preventing gout.
Dysphagia is the difficulty in swallowing experienced by individuals with achalasia, a condition in which the esophagus has trouble pushing food down into the stomach. Food may be perceived to be stuck in the esophagus instead of reaching the stomach.
In 2012, an earlier study discovered that consuming warm water could potentially aid individuals with achalasia in experiencing more comfortable digestion, although the reasons behind this are still uncertain to researchers.
Although there is limited research on the advantages of hot water versus cold water, consuming hot water is deemed harmless and can help you stay hydrated all day. It is effortless to adopt the practice of drinking hot water. You can begin by having a cup of boiled water that has been allowed to cool down for some time. If you are not fond of tea or coffee, experiment with adding lemon to your hot water.
Incorporate a moderate stretching regimen into your routine, and you’ll experience a surge of energy as well as improved readiness to take on the day. If the concept of consuming warm water doesn’t appeal to your senses, consider infusing your drink with a dash of citrus, such as lemon or lime, beforehand.
By drinking warm water before going to bed, you can unwind effectively after a hectic day. Acquiring knowledge about the advantages it has for your health will help you sleep restfully.
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