Overview
We all know how important water is for our health and wellbeing. Many of us would rather drink cold water, however, there are many reasons to drink warm water. In many cultures, like Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, warm water is considered a simple yet effective treatment for many ailments. Most people find plain hot water (or hot lemon water) soothing and beneficial.
Hot water can help to keep you hydrated. It can also help to reduce congestion, improve your digestion, reduce stress, and make you feel warmer. Water is an essential part of overall health. Drinking warm or hot water can help to improve digestion, improve circulation, and reduce stress.
Let’s look at 12 health benefits of drinking warm water, and the potential side effects of drinking warm water.
12 Health Benefits of drinking warm water:
1. Helps in Weight Loss:
Warm water can help you lose weight by raising your body temperature, which in turn increases your metabolism. A higher metabolism means your body will burn more calories. Warm water can also help you control your hunger by keeping you full for longer periods of time. Drinking more water has been proven to help you lose weight for a long time. Water also helps your body absorb nutrients and it helps your body flush out waste. In a study published in 2003, researchers found that switching from cold to hot water increased your metabolism by 30% for every 500 ml of water consumed before a meal.
2. Improves Digestion:
Warm water stimulates your digestive glands and helps speed up the digestion process. This helps your body break down food more quickly, making it easier to absorb nutrients. Drinking warm water in the mornings can jumpstart your digestive system and help you have better bowel movements and prevent constipation.
Water helps your digestive system stay active. As the water passes through your stomach or intestines, it helps your body eliminate waste. Some people think that hot water is especially good for activating your digestive system. The theory goes that hot water can dissolve and dissipate food that your body may have had difficulty digesting. If you think that drinking hot water can help your digestion, there’s no harm in using it as a remedy.
3. Increases Blood Circulation:
Warm water expands the blood vessels and improves blood circulation. This increased blood flow helps to relax muscles, ease pain, and better distribute nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. Healthy blood flow affects your blood pressure and your risk of heart disease. A warm bath helps the circulatory organs, the arteries and veins, to expand and carry more blood throughout your body. The warmth of a hot bath or bathing at night may help you relax and prepare you for a restful night’s sleep.
4. Releases Nasal Congestion:
If you have a cold, drinking hot water can help you feel better. Warm water helps clear your nose by loosening the mucus and relieves a sore throat. It can also reduce the irritation of your throat due to mucus build-up. Drinking hot water creates steam when you hold a cup of it. Taking a deep breath of this gentle vapor can help loosen your sinuses and even reduce the pain in your sinuses. Your sinuses and throat have mucous membranes all over your body, so drinking hot water may warm them up and soothe your sore throat.
According to a 2008 study, drinking a hot drink, like tea, can provide quick and long-term relief from runny noses, coughing, sore throats, and fatigue.
5. Encourages Healthy Skin:
Keeping your skin hydrated is essential for a healthy, glowing complexion. Warm water helps to keep your skin elastic and fights against dryness. It also helps to flush out any toxins that can lead to acne or other skin problems. Hot water helps to open up your pores so that you can get rid of all the toxins and dirt that are clogging up your pores. Plus, it helps to increase blood flow to your skin, which helps to improve your skin health and reduces the signs of aging.
6. Decreases Stress:
Warm water helps your body to relax and calm down. It also helps your central nervous system to function better, reducing stress and anxiety. Warm water also relaxes your muscles and soothes your mind. Since warm water helps improve your central nervous system, you may also feel less anxious after drinking it. The study found that drinking water increased brain activity during challenging tasks and lowered self-reported anxiety levels.
7. Aids in Detoxification:
Warm water helps your body flush out toxins. It raises your body temperature, which causes you to sweat. Sweating helps flush toxins out of your body through your skin. This detoxification process also helps your kidneys work better by removing waste products from your body. While there is no definitive proof that hot water is good for your kidneys. One 2020 study found that drinking more water helps protect your kidneys and dilutes waste materials in your blood. Drinking water can also fight inflammation, lubricate your joints, and help prevent gout.
8. Reduces shivering in the cold
In a 2017 study, researchers found that while shivering is the body’s natural response to cold temperatures, drinking warm liquids can help reduce it. Participants were given warm water to drink while they swam in a pool of water that was slightly warmer than freezing. They were then given hot water to drink at various temperatures, including 126°F [52°C]. The study found that drinking hot water quickly reduced the amount of effort needed to maintain body temperature, which could be beneficial for people who work or exercise in cold conditions.
9. May help relieve symptoms of achalasia
Achalasia, also known as dysphagia, is a condition in which the esophagus is unable to move food down into the stomach. Patients with dysphagia may experience difficulty swallowing, as they may feel as if the food gets stuck in the esophagus rather than the stomach. Scientists don’t know why dysphagia occurs, but a 2012 study found that drinking warm water can help people with dysphagia digest food more easily.
10. Reduced pain
Hot water increases blood circulation and may improve blood flow to injured muscles, but there is no direct correlation between hot water consumption and pain relief. Many people use heat packs or hot water bottles for pain relief. Drinking hot water may help with internal pain, but it’s important to remember that heat can worsen swelling.
11. Boosting the Consumption of Coffee and Tea
Since both coffee and tea need hot water to brew, providing hot water makes it easier for people to make them and drink them. Drinking coffee and tea can help protect you from chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Coffee and tea also contain antioxidants, which are compounds that help protect your body from damage caused by free radicals.
12. Encourage Hair Health
Drinking hot water also helps to improve hair health in other ways. For example, hot water increases blood flow to your scalp, which helps to promote hair growth and overall hair health. Hot water also helps to hydrate your hair and prevents it from drying out and becoming brittle, which can lead to breakage and damage.
Potential Side Effects:
While there are many advantages to drinking warm water, it is important to be aware of the following side effects:
- Imbalance of electrolytes: Too much warm water can cause electrolyte imbalances in the body, so it is important to drink it with moderation.
- Over hydration: Too much water, whether warm or not, can cause dehydration, which can strain your kidneys and dilute important minerals in your body.
- Scalding hazard: Too hot water can cause scald in the mouth, throat and digestive tract. Make sure the water is warm and not boiling.
- Sleep disruption: Drinking too much warm water before bed can cause frequent urination, so it is best to drink warm water at least one hour before going to bed.
Uses of warm water:
Although there isn’t much research on the health benefits of hot vs. cold water, it’s safe to drink and can help you stay hydrated all day long. It’s easy to get into the habit. Start your day with a hot cup of boiled water and let it cool for a few minutes. If you don’t drink tea or coffee, add some lemon to your hot water. Add a light stretching session to your daily routine. You’ll feel energized and better prepared to face the day.
If the taste of hot water isn’t your thing, add a bit of lemon or lime before drinking it. Drinking warm water before bed can help you sleep better at night. Knowing the health benefits of warm water will have you sleeping better at night.
Conclusion:
Drinking warm water can be a great way to improve your digestion, detoxify your body, improve your skin, and reduce stress. However, it’s important to remember that warm water should only be consumed in moderation and only at a temperature that is safe for your body.
It’s easy to see the benefits of warm water, but it’s also important to be aware of the possible side effects. By taking the time to understand the benefits and side effects of warm water, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about whether or not to include it in your daily routine. Drink warm water to stay hydrated and stay healthy. It’s a simple yet effective way to improve your health and wellbeing.
FAQ:
Can drinking warm water relieve throat pain?
Yes, warm water is one of the best things to drink when you have a sore throat. Warm water can soothe sore throats and reduce irritation. Warm water can also help loosen mucus and make it easier for you to cough or sneeze. You can also add honey or lemon to warm water to make it even more soothing.
Does warm water help reduce stress?
Hot water can aid in lowering stress by soothing the muscles and soothing the nervous system. Consuming hot water or enjoying a hot bath can encourage a state of relaxation and enhance general health, serving as a successful method for dealing with stress and anxiety.
Does warm water improve circulation?
Yes, heated water can enhance blood flow. It aids in widening blood vessels, which in turn, boosts blood circulation all over the body. Better blood flow can result in improved oxygenation of body tissues and a more effective elimination of waste materials.
Does drinking warm water aid digestion?
Yes, warm water stimulates the digestive system. It makes it easier for the digestive system to break down the food. Warm water also helps the digestive system to work better. It also helps with smooth bowel movements and relieves constipation.
Can warm water help with weight loss?
Warm water helps you lose weight because it raises your body temperature which may increase your metabolism. Drinking warm water before a meal can also make you feel full which makes you less likely to overeat.
Is warm water beneficial for detoxification?
Hot water can assist in cleansing the body by facilitating the removal of harmful substances. It encourages perspiration and urination, which are natural methods the body uses to get rid of waste. Consuming hot water consistently can help with the functioning of the kidneys and the overall cleansing procedures.
Reference Used:
https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-drinking-hot-water
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319673#benefits-of-drinking-hot-water
