Is It Better To Drink Cold Water Or Room Temperature Water?
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From Stanley to YETI, hydration is having a moment right now. Drinking water is essential to, well, staying alive, but it seems like we're talking about it now more than ever. Many people tend to prefer an ice-cold glass of water, but does the temperature really matter? Maybe you've heard health claims about the benefits of drinking warm water over cold water. Despite the lack of research on the topic, we wanted to learn more about some of these rumors and what experts have to say.
"Honestly, most people can simply benefit from more water in general, so it comes down to personal preference when it comes to temperature," said Mandy Enright, MS, RDN, RYT, a worksite wellness specialist and author of 30-Minute Weight Loss Cookbook.
Dr. Amy Lee, head of nutrition for Nucific, said that some people might think that cold water can hurt digestion, even though there hasn't been much research about it. And some people also believe that hot water is more compatible with the body's own temperature and that it can help open your sinuses. But neither of those claims have been proven. "There is no reliable research data on the health benefits of drinking water at any specific temperature," Lee said.
Drinking warm or hot beverages can also have a cultural significance. In The Guardian, a writer of Chinese descent wrote about how common it is for the community to prefer hot water over tap water. In both Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, warm water is often preferred to cold.
"What I do know is that in Western Medicine, we do use fluids as a tool to bring down the body’s core temperature [...] if there is potential overheating," said Dr. Lee.
Some people also say that cold water can help you burn calories because your body has to bring your temperature up afterward, but Dr. Lee said that no one knows how many calories the body metabolizes during this process.
So basically, they are equally as good for you—just remember to drink enough water in general. Looking for more ways to stay hydrated this summer? Check out our favorite water bottles, water filters, and the best sparkling water brands. And here are our tips on how to keep that water bottle clean.
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