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Pros and Cons of Drinking Hot Water

Water is most important for you. Water helps maintain your body temperature, lubricates your joints, protects spinal cold and other tissues, and helps get rid of wastes through urination, sweating and bowel movements.1

For some sipping on a glass of water is more relishing when it is cold. But surprisingly many enjoy sipping a cup of hot water. And guess what? That can be more beneficial too! While water in every way is useful for a healthy life, warm water can have its benefits but sometimes may not be the right choice. Let us look at the pros and cons of drinking hot water.

Pros of Drinking Hot Water

Pros of Drinking Hot Water

Hot water drinking is favored by many doctors and supported by many experts in the management of certain illnesses. Here are some of the pros of drinking hot water.

Improves Absorption – Osmosis is the first step in the absorption of water in the body, which is influenced by water temperature. When the temperature of the water is high the absorption is faster.2

Relieves Constipation – The small intestine absorbs water that further eases out other processes of bowel movements. If there is not enough water or if the absorption is inadequate, less water passes into the large intestine, resulting in dry stools. Chronic or long-standing, insufficient absorption of water can result in constipation. However, drinking hot warm can help in faster breaking down of food, increasing the rate of absorption, thus ensuring smooth passage of bowels and relieving gut-related complaints like constipation.

For Respiratory Troubles – Experts believe that hot liquid is superior to cold liquids and is particularly of great help in the management of upper respiratory tract infections. Drinking hot water helps increase nasal mucus velocity by the nasal inhalation of water vapor.2 One of the best pros of drinking hot water is getting relief from nasal congestion. It can also help in loosening up the mucus in blocked sinuses and relieve sinus headaches as well. Similarly, drinking hot water also provides relief for other upper respiratory conditions like common cold, cough, tonsillitis, adenoids, and pharyngitis.

Promotes Weight Loss – Drinking hot water is known to boost metabolism and is usually advised as the first thing to do in the morning. Drinking water has been shown to increase energy expenditure, which can help reduce excess body weight. A 2013 study confirmed the role of water-induced thermogenesis in weight reduction in overweight individuals with a decrease in body weight, body mass index, and body composition.3

Detoxification – Water plays an important role in getting rid of toxins through urine and sweat. Drinking hot water makes the process of removal of toxins easier. With an activated endocrine system and an increased metabolic rate, you may feel hot and sweat more. But that will leave you free from those toxins, which can not only have a great impact on your skin but also on your overall health.

Better Circulation – Drinking hot water helps expands the blood vessels and acts as a vasodilator, thus improving the blood flow to the body parts. While adequate water intake is necessary to maintain normal blood pressure, drinking hot water may be particularly helpful to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Offers Relaxation – Some also believe that drinking hot water can relieve pain and discomfort, by soothing the excited nervous system and hence, may aid in managing stress and anxiety. Sipping on a cup of hot water may be relaxing for many, thus helping in maintaining a healthy emotional state.

Some Interesting Studies

A 2019 study confirmed that drinking warm water has a positive effect on growth performance and gut microbiota in rabbits during the early postweaning stage in winter.4 In 2019 a study was conducted to determine the effects of consuming different water temperatures on gastric motility and energy intake in healthy young men. In this, eleven men were given water at different temperatures before having a test meal. The energy intake from their meals was recorded to understand the impact of water at different temperatures. The findings concluded that consuming water at 2°C reduced energy intake, which could be related to reduced gastric motility. This study suggested that further studies determine the impact of water temperature on appetite-regulating hormones that can be a crucial factor in weight management.5

Cons of Drinking Hot Water

Cons of Drinking Hot Water

While there are many benefits of drinking hot water there are some risks too.

Being Too Hot – One of the main cons of drinking hot water is getting burned. Drinking water that seems too hot for you can cause a burning sensation in the mouth, throat, and stomach. To avoid such injuries, it is important to understand how hot is enough without overdoing it. Also, having your water too hot increases the risk of spilling over a cup of hot water and getting scalded. Care needs to be taken, by aging people, those having diabetes, and anyone with an altered response to taste or temperature. You can see if the water is piping hot by the vapors over it or you can take a sip to decide before gulping it down.

Other Hot Beverages – Hot water should not be substituted by other hot beverages as they may have other effects as well. Tea and coffee are diuretics and cause dehydration while caffeinated coffee can also increase the caffeine intake, which can interrupt your sleep and affect bowel movements in some. Green tea too are best when taken in a limited amount. You can sip on one or two cups of tea or coffee and continue with warm water at other times.

In Dehydrated People – As hot water causes more sweating, there is a risk of losing more water in cases of dehydration or in people who are already experiencing water loss. Similarly, during heat stress, exercises, and strenuous physical activities can increase the risk of dehydration. In such cases, drinking hot water may be avoided and room temperature water may be helpful.

In a 2013 study, it was concluded that people having dehydration show different sweating responses when they drink water at different temperatures. Considering this, consuming cool tap water or water at 16ºC is advisable for dehydration.6

Conclusion

Drinking hot water has several benefits but you need to mitigate the risks of scalding. Also, you would want to avoid having hot water when you are already dehydrated or sweating profusely. After knowing the pros and cons of drinking hot water, you are sure to plan your daily routine with a sip of warm water.

References:

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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:August 25, 2022

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