Some people like their water at room temperature, while others can only drink a glass of crisp, ice cold water. But which one is better for you?
The benefits of cold water externally have been trending recently, with many people swearing by taking cold showers and ice baths. But when drinking cold water, some people think it does more harm than good.
So what’s the truth? Keep reading to learn about the benefits of drinking cold water and how much cold water you should be drinking.
Is Drinking Cold Water Bad for You?
So, is drinking cold water bad for you?
The truth is that there is no evidence that drinking cold water is bad for you. Cold water contributes to hydration, just as room temperature water does.
Warm and cold water affect your body differently, but neither of them causes your body any harm. In fact, drinking warm water and cold water from time to time is a good idea.
There are benefits to drinking both room temperature water and cold water. For drinking warm water, the benefits are:
- Helps blood circulation
- Helps with digestion
- Helps the body get rid of toxins faster
Let’s talk about the benefits of drinking cold water so you can see why it’s worth drinking.
Benefits of Drinking Cold Water
Not only is cold water completely safe to drink, but there are additional benefits to choosing it over its room temperature counterpart at certain times.
Without further ado, here are the top benefits of drinking cold water.
More palatable
Some people have trouble drinking the necessary amount of water per day because some people simply just don’t like the taste of water.
However, a person who does not like the taste of water is more likely to tolerate it – or even enjoy it – if it’s at a lower temperature. The water becomes more refreshing and similar to other ice cold drinks we enjoy. Think about how many drinks you enjoy at room temperature. There are very few.
So if you find it challenging to keep your water intake up, add a few ice cubes to make it more palatable!
Improves workout performance
According to a 2012 study, drinking cold water while exercising can keep you from overheating. As a result, you’re less dehydrated during your workout. Cold water improves your performance by maintaining hydration while you sweat it out.
Drinking cold water after your workout is also a good idea to get your core body temperature back to normal quicker.
Increase your metabolism
Did you know that cold water is a staple for weight loss? Although it may sound too good to be true, cold water can help you manage weight loss by raising your metabolism.
Drinking cold water can potentially raise your metabolism by 50 calories each day. That’s as much as a 15-minute walk.
The reason for this is that your body works harder to maintain your core internal temperature and, by doing so, uses up additional carbs and fats.
Quicker rehydration
If you tend not to feel satisfied after drinking water – even after drinking large amounts – then you might want to lower the temperature.
Cold water absorbs into the stomach faster than room temperature water. This results in faster rehydration and will keep you satisfied better.
Stay alert
Need a boost of energy in the afternoon? You might not need coffee to wake yourself up; drinking cold water is a great way to stay alert. Here’s how it works:
Drinking cold water activates the sensors just under our skin, increasing our heart rate and blood flow to provide a mild adrenaline rush. This will help you stay alert and focused.
Alternatives to Drinking Cold Water
Despite all the benefits of drinking cold water, you may still think it’s not for you. While the easy alternative is to drink room temperature water, there are a few ways to spruce it up if you’re having trouble drinking water in general.
Here’s how you can increase your cold water intake:
- Drink iced tea – try to add very little or no sugar!
- Make homemade lemonade and take it with you in a water bottle
- Make a smoothie with your favorite fruits
- Drink coconut water, which has various additional health benefits
How Cold Is Too Cold?
Although, in general, cold water is a refreshing choice, there is one limit to drinking ice water.
On a scorching summer’s day, there’s nothing better than cooling down with an ice cold drink. However, this may not be a good idea on days when you find your body overheating.
In general, it’s recommended that you do not drink ice cold water during heat waves, especially if your body is overheating, because when you drink cold water when your body is at a certain temperature, it may cause your body to go into shock.
That doesn’t mean you’re restricted to only room temperature water on hot days, but you may not want to fill your glass with ice during these times.
Wrap-Up: Don’t Be Afraid of Cold Water
Cold water is just as safe to drink as room temperature and has its place in your diet.
Drinking cold water has several benefits, from feeling refreshed and energized to supporting blood circulation to promoting better metabolism. So next time you feel like your water is a little boring, just throw a few ice cubes in it!
For more information on staying hydrated this summer, check out this article.