Did you know that 50 to 60 percent of your body is composed of water? Water plays important roles in our health and happens to be very vital for the proper functions in the body. But should you drink it warm or cold? Most people opt for cold water when the weather is hot to feel refreshed. However, warm water has been shown to have a lot of benefits in the body.
Below are the pros and cons of drinking cold and warm water:
Cold Water
Cold water is normally at about 47 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It feels refreshing, especially on a hot summer day. Although adding some ice to a glass or cold water can feel revitalizing, it can trigger a number of side effects. These include:
1. Decrease in energy levels
In order to bring your body to its average and normal temperature, your body uses extra energy to warm up the cold water. This is why iced water is not recommended unless if you want to feel exhausted and unable to complete your regular tasks.
2. Upsets digestion
Drinking a glass of cold water can make your blood vessels to shrink. This can, in turn, hinder your digestive abilities. It can trigger abdominal pain, stomach upset, and constipation.
3. Mucus formation in the body
Drinking cold water boosts the production of mucus in your body. It weakens your immune system which can lead to unpleasant medical conditions like a runny nose and serious illnesses.
Warm Water
Warm water should be taken at about 80 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit. However, most people don’t prefer to take warm water but instead, opt for tea or coffee at this temperature. The good news is that drinking warm water has many health benefits.
1. Eliminates toxins from your body
When taken in the morning, warm water flushes out toxins in your body that can contribute to a number of illnesses. To make it more effective, add a slice of lemon to warm water. The vitamin C helps to revive the cells while the warm water eliminates toxins.
2. Reduces pain
Pain caused by menstruation or headaches can be relieved by taking warm water. By increasing blood circulation, warm water improves the flow of blood. It relives cramp by helping cramped muscles to relax.
3. Lowers your heart rate
Drinking cold water can lower your heart rate. It stimulates the vagus nerve, which happens to be an important component of the autonomous nervous system. The low temperature of the cold water stimulates the vagus nerve to lower your rate.
4. Eases Stress
It’s not only a hot bath that can help to deal with stress but a glass of warm water can do this, as well. Drinking a glass of warm water can make the stress to disappear. This is because it improves the function of the central nervous system. Dehydration increases levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Keeping hydrated makes you more stress-resistant.
5. Helps in weight loss
Taking either warm or cold water can both help in weight loss. However, warm water makes your metabolism fully activated. By raising your body temperatures, warm water makes the calories to start burning.
6. Improves blood circulation
While cold water tends to close your veins, warm water makes the blood to flow freely. Improved blood circulation is crucial to many bodily functions and can lower the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
7. Improves digestion
Little or no bowel movement can make someone experience problems when going to the restroom. Constipation is commonly caused by dehydration. Water stimulates the bowels, and warm water has been proven to be effective in stimulating the bowel movement.
8. Prevents premature aging
Premature aging can be embarrassing particularly for women. Accumulation of toxins in the body can trigger premature aging. Drinking warm water helps to flush toxins away.
Edited by: Jessa (Jan. 29, 2019)
