Cold, Hot Or Room Temperature Water, Which Is Best?

What is really the right kind of water we should drink, is it hot or cold? Check out the article we found over at Healthy and Natural World.

Water gives us life and we all know how good it feels to quench our thirst with a nice tall glass of cool water. But is cool water always the best option? Or maybe there are occasions where we should opt for warm water?

Some experts speculate on what the best water temperature is to achieve optimal hydration. After all, our internal body temperature is 37.0 °C (98.6 °F) which is vastly different from that of a glass of cool water.

Ancient medicine systems such as Ayurveda, which originated in India more than 3,000 years ago and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) both highlight the importance of temperature and its effects on the body. So it seems that there are certain occasions where warm water is more appropriate than cold!

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!

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.

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.

Best Times to Drink Warm or Hot Water

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!

Pain Relief

Warm or hot water is better to consume if you are dealing with a headache or inflammation. Because warm water helps stimulate blood flow to the tissues it’s an excellent remedy for treating menstrual cramps.

The Rest of the Time

Aside from the circumstances listed above, the consensus from a broad spectrum of health professionals is to stick with room temperature water. Always take into the consideration what the temperature is outside. On a hot day, drink cold water, on a cold winter morning you will probably want to opt for hot or warm water. Drinking warm water in the morning is a great way to stimulate digestion and get the blood flowing to increase energy, and it’s also detoxifying. Adding citrus or herbs to your water can make it more enjoyable if you don’t like the taste. Many people stick to cold water because it tastes better, but room temperature water can be just as enjoyable. Remember to listen to your body, often it is the best health authority.

Image Credit: Healthy and Natural World

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Read full article: Which Is Better: Drinking Cold Or Warm Water?