As you reach for a glass of water, you likely don’t give the temperature a second thought. However, new research shows the shockingly significant impact the temperature of the water you drink has on your health. The effects of cold water on the human body are varied and complex. While a cool beverage may seem refreshing on a hot summer day, regularly drinking very chilled water can disrupt your body’s systems in surprising ways. Understanding how cold water affects digestion, metabolism, and other functions can help you make an informed choice about the temperature of your drinking water and support your overall health and wellness. The truth about cold water may shock you, but arming yourself with the facts can help ensure you’re properly hydrated and functioning at your best.
The Science Behind Drinking Cold Water
When you drink cold water, your body has to work to heat it up, which impacts your health in surprising ways.
Thermal Regulation
Your core temperature is closely regulated, so consuming chilled H2O requires your body to generate heat to warm it up. This triggers a slight metabolic increase and calorie burn. While minor, drinking several glasses per day can have a cumulative effect.
Improved Circulation
As your body warms the cold water, your blood vessels constrict. This helps improve circulation by increasing blood flow throughout your body. Better circulation provides more oxygen to your cells and removes waste products.
Enhanced Digestion
Cold water can enhance digestion. When you drink chilled water, your stomach and intestines receive a temperature “shock” that activates your digestive system. This stimulation helps break down food and improves gut motility and transit time.
Possible Weight Loss
Some research indicates that drinking cold water may slightly increase the number of calories you burn, especially if done regularly over time. The effect is relatively small but can contribute to weight loss when combined with a balanced diet and exercise.
While the impacts are modest, switching to chilled H2O is an easy way to support your health. The next time you’re thirsty, reach for a refreshing glass of cold water. Your body will thank you.
The Benefits of Drinking Cold Water
Drinking cold water offers several benefits for your health and well-being.
- Cold water is refreshing and can boost your alertness. As the chilled liquid enters your stomach, your body has to work to warm it up. This requires energy and causes an increase in your heart rate, blood flow, and breathing. This physiological response leads to greater alertness and focus.
- Cold water aids weight loss. Your body has to expend energy (calories) to heat up the water to body temperature. While the amount of calories burned is modest, over time it can contribute to weight loss and maintenance. Drinking six to eight glasses of ice water per day can burn an extra 100 calories.
- Cold water reduces inflammation in the body. Inflammation is linked to various health issues like heart disease, obesity, and autoimmune disorders. The cooling effect of cold water may help decrease inflammation in the tissues and joints. Some research shows that cold exposure activates the body’s anti-inflammatory responses.
- Cold water improves circulation. As your body works to warm up the cold water, your heart rate increases, pumping more oxygenated blood throughout your body. Better circulation means your cells are getting more nutrients and waste products are being efficiently removed. Improved circulation can benefit your skin, muscles, and organs.
By drinking 6-8 glasses of chilled water each day, you can experience the many health benefits of cold water. Staying properly hydrated provides energy, aids digestion, cushions your brain and spinal cord, and much more. So fill up that glass with cold, refreshing H2O – your body and mind will thank you!
Potential Drawbacks of Ice Cold H2O
Consuming ice cold water may have some potential drawbacks to be aware of.
Temperature Shock
Drinking very chilled water can be a shock to your system. When the icy liquid hits your stomach, your body has to work harder to warm it up to your core temperature. This can put extra strain on your digestive system and may cause cramping in some people. For most of us, the occasional glass of cold water is fine, but drinking it regularly and in large volumes may have unwanted effects. It is best to let very cold water sit for a few minutes before drinking to take the chill off, or opt for water that is cool or room temperature.
Impacts Circulation
Ice cold water causes your blood vessels to constrict, which can hamper healthy circulation. Your heart has to pump harder to push blood through narrowed vessels, increasing blood pressure. This effect only lasts for a short time, but making a habit of drinking chilled water means your body is constantly responding this way, which some research links to higher risks of hypertension or heart attack over the long run. For optimal circulation and heart health, tepid or lukewarm water is a better choice.
Slows Digestion
The cold temperature of chilled water can slow the digestive process. Enzymes and muscles in your stomach and intestines work best at normal internal body heat. Icy water lowers the core temperature in your gut, causing these systems to function less efficiently. This can lead to discomforts like cramps, bloating, or constipation. For the healthiest digestion, drink water that is room temperature or slightly cool.
In summary, while an occasional glass of chilled water on a hot day may be refreshing, making a habit of drinking very cold water in large amounts could have some undesirable impacts on your health and comfort. For the benefits of staying hydrated without the drawbacks, choose water that is cool, room temperature, or slightly chilled as your primary drink of choice.
Tips for Drinking Cold Water Safely
Drinking cold water directly impacts your body in several ways. While staying hydrated is essential for your health, consuming chilled H2O requires some precautions. Follow these tips to enjoy the refreshing benefits of cold water safely:
Allow Your Body to Adjust
When you first start drinking cold water, do so gradually. Suddenly flooding your system with icy liquid can shock your body. Begin by switching one glass of room temperature water for a chilled one, and slowly make the transition over the course of a week or two. This allows your body and its systems to become accustomed to the lower temperature, minimizing discomfort.
Stay Hydrated in Other Ways Too
Although cold water is refreshing, it does not adequately hydrate you on its own. Cold temperatures reduce your thirst sensation, so you may drink less. Be sure to also consume water at room temperature and stay hydrated through foods with high water content like fruits and vegetables. Monitor the color of your urine to ensure proper hydration – it should be pale yellow.
Avoid Large Volumes at Once
Resist the urge to guzzle an entire glass of ice-cold water at once. Doing so places strain on your body as it works to adjust and regulate your core temperature. Instead, sip cold water gradually. This allows it to cool your mouth and throat first before the rest of your body.
Watch for Discomfort
Some people experience discomfort from drinking cold water like headaches, stomach cramps or sensitivity in teeth and gums. Pay attention to your body’s signals. If you notice negative side effects from the chilled temperature, cut back the amount or switch to water that is cool but not icy. It may also help to drink cold water with meals instead of on an empty stomach.
By following these best practices, you can enjoy the benefits of cold water like increased alertness, metabolism boost and refreshment on hot days while avoiding potential downsides. Staying in tune with your body and making adjustments as needed is key to balancing health and hydration. Cold water in moderation and as part of a balanced hydration plan is ideal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chilled Water Effects
Frequently Asked Questions About Chilled Water Effects
Drinking cold water can have some effects on your health that may surprise you. Here are answers to a few commonly asked questions about how chilled H2O impacts your body:
Does cold water burn more calories?
When you drink cold water, your body has to work to warm it up to your core temperature. This process is known as thermogenesis and requires energy, which can result in a small increase in calorie burn. However, the calorie-burning effect is relatively minor. Drinking a glass of ice water can burn only about 8 calories. While every little bit helps, cold water alone will not have a major impact on your metabolism or weight loss.
Does cold water close your pores?
Drinking cold beverages does not actually close or shrink your pores. Your pores are openings of hair follicles and sebaceous glands in your skin that vary in size based on genetics. While cold temperatures can cause temporary tightening of skin, pores themselves do not open or close. However, cold water may reduce swelling in pores and constrict blood vessels, giving the appearance of smaller pores. But once your body temperature regulates, your pores will return to their normal size.
Does cold water affect your digestion?
Drinking chilled water with or immediately after a meal can negatively impact your digestion. Cold temperatures can harden fats in the stomach and slow the production of stomach acid and digestive enzymes. For most efficient digestion, it is best to avoid very cold beverages during meals and for up to an hour after eating. Room temperature or lukewarm water is a better choice.
In summary, while cold water may provide some benefits like a minor calorie burn, it does not actually shrink your pores or significantly impact your metabolism. And drinking chilled water with meals can hamper digestion, so opt for room temperature water during and after eating for optimal health effects. Moderation and balance are key.