Is drinking cold water good or bad for your health?

While drinking water of any temperature—cold, hot or lukewarm—supports your overall well-being, drinking hot water is thought to be more beneficial. Some people, however, prefer to drink cold water to cool down and satiate their thirst. While hot water is considered better for weight loss, are there any special benefits of drinking cold water? Come, let us find out!

Benefits of drinking cold water

Nupuur Patil, a nutritionist, and dietician based in Mumbai and UAE, spoke to Health Shots about the benefits of drinking cold water. She said, “Drinking cold water is a common habit for many people, especially during hot summer days or after a strenuous workout, as it helps you feel refreshed.”

Here are 7 advantages to drinking cold water:

1. Keeps you hydrated

No matter whether you are drinking cold, warm, or room-temperature water, it helps you stay hydrated. However, Patil says, “Cold water is more refreshing and may increase your overall water intake compared to warm water.” Cold water can also be helpful in reducing the sweating issue and preventing the risk of dehydration. Make sure you are well hydrated in order to support your overall health and avoid digestion and body temperature fluctuations.

2. Metabolism boost

Surprisingly, cold water can significantly boost your metabolism. As reported in Active magazine, a recent study by German researchers revealed that consuming six cups of cold water daily can increase your resting metabolism, leading to the burning of approximately 50 calories per day, which is about as much as you would burn if you walked for 15 minutes. This enhanced metabolism contributes to effective and healthy weight loss.

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Also read: Benefits of drinking warm water: Is it better than cold water?

3. Detoxifies your body

Cold water is thought to be highly effective for detoxifying the body by flushing out toxins and preventing their accumulation, which can have adverse effects on your health. However, to experience these detox benefits, it’s crucial to maintain proper hydration. Otherwise, you may end up with symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.

4. Post-exercise recovery

After a strenuous workout, your body may experience muscle inflammation and increased body temperature. Patil says, “Cold water helps cool down your body and reduces core temperature, alleviating overheating and aiding muscle recovery post workout (or even before workout).” You can also spend some time in an ice-cold bathtub after your workout to allow your body to heal faster and reduce soreness.

5. Pain relief

Cold water has the potential to provide relief for specific types of pain. According to Patil, “It can be effective in alleviating headaches and migraines by constricting blood vessels and reducing blood flow to the head, thereby relieving pain. However, you should be careful, as cold water may exacerbate discomfort if you have a sore throat, menstrual pain, or suffer from achalasia, a condition that hinders the passage of food through the esophagus.

6. Promotes glowing skin

We are all aware of the benefits of cold water therapy for the skin. Dipping your face in ice water soothes irritation, tightens your pores, improves your overall skin complexion, and reduces redness, swelling, and puffiness. Hence, cold water can promote skin health in several ways. In fact, drinking cold water can also help minimise pores, giving you a natural glow.

Also read: A celeb-favourite secret to glowing skin: Try ice water face dip!

7. Improves alertness

Apart from drinking caffeine, drinking cold water is also known to help you stay attentive and more focused. Patil says, “Cold water can provide a quick energy boost and improve alertness, making it an excellent choice when you need to stay awake and focused.”

While cold water offers so many health benefits, it’s essential to balance it with room-temperature water, especially during meals, as cold water might interfere with digestion.

Risk factors of drinking cold water

Here are 3 major risks or side effects of drinking cold water:

1. Digestive problems: Extremely cold water can sometimes cause digestive discomfort in some individuals. It happens because cold water hinders the absorption of nutrients and slows down digestion, making it tough to break down food.

2. Sore throat: Consuming cold water can cause a sore throat and a blocked nose. It makes you vulnerable to many respiratory infections.

3. Change in heart rate: Cold water is also responsible for decreasing heart rate. So, make sure you drink room-temperature water.

So ladies, you can drink cold water but avoid extremely cold water and drinking only cold water!