5 Health Benefits Of Drinking Cold Water & Risks
Medical experts always recommend drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water every day for your physical and mental health. But does drinking cold water regularly affect your health negatively? Just like everything else in this world, research suggests that there are a few risks and benefits of drinking cold water. We will take a deeper look at it in this article to find out what they are. Scroll down to read more!
In This Article
Why Can Cold Water Be Bad For You?
Benefits Of Drinking Cold Water
Is Warm (Or Hot) Water Better Than Cold Water?
Infographic: Alternatives To Drinking Cold Water
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Can Cold Water Be Bad For You?
Many believe that drinking cold water may do more harm than good. It is said that cold water may cause your stomach to contract, making the digestion process difficult. Some individuals also believe that their body will have to work harder to maintain the optimal inner temperature (37°C) if they drink water at 4°C or less.
But how much of this is true? In the following section, we will look at what research states.
Research
In a small study published in Chest, cold water intake was found to make nasal mucus thicker, making it difficult to pass through the respiratory tract. Alternately, consuming hot water (or hot beverages, like chicken soup) was observed to make breathing easier. Cold water was also found to aggravate congestion in individuals with cold or flu.
In another study, drinking cold water was linked to migraines in people with a history of the condition. Cold water intake may also aggravate the pain associated with achalasia (a condition that makes it difficult for food to pass through the esophagus) . Read More...