Water is necessary for overall health, and drinking warm or hot water may provide extra benefits such as digestive aid, improved circulation, and stress reduction.
Although there is little scientific evidence supporting the benefits of drinking hot water, alternative health advocates believe that it is a simple approach to boost health. In this post, we examine the evidence.
Benefits
While drinking water at any temperature can improve overall well-being, drinking hot water is known to provide a number of extra health benefits.
People have been drinking hot liquids for thousands of years. Folk medical literature is full with legends about how hot water can enhance health, but experts have only just begun to investigate the benefits of drinking hot water.
This article examines eight potential benefits, as well as the hypotheses that support them.
1. Healthier digestion
When a person does not drink enough water, the small intestine absorbs the majority of the water ingested through food and beverages. This causes dehydration and may make it more difficult to have bowel movements.
Chronic dehydration might result in chronic constipation. Constipation can make bowel movements uncomfortable and lead to other issues like hemorrhoids and bloating.
Drinking hot water helps to break down meals more quickly than drinking cold or warm water. It lowers the risk of constipation by promoting regular bowel motions.
2. Body detoxification
Natural health proponents believe that hot water can assist the body cleanse. When water is hot enough to elevate a person’s body temperature, they may sweat. Sweating removes pollutants and can help clean the pores.
3. Improved circulation
Hot water is a vasodilator, which means it expands blood vessels and improves circulation. This can help muscles relax and relieve pain.
Although no studies have directly connected hot water to long-term benefits in circulation, even brief increases in circulation can help enhance blood flow to muscles and organs.
4. Weight loss
ResearchTrusted Source has long supported the notion that drinking more water can help people lose weight. This could be due in part to the fact that drinking water makes you feel more full. Water also aids nutrition absorption and waste elimination.
According to a 2003 studyTrusted Source, moving from drinking cold water to hot water will help you lose weight. Researchers discovered that drinking 500 milliliters of water before a meal improved metabolism by 30%.
Raising the water temperature to 98.6 degrees caused 40% of the rise in metabolism. This metabolic boost lasted for 30-40 minutes after water ingestion.
5. Reduced pain
Hot water promotes circulation and may increase blood flow, particularly to wounded muscles. No studies have explicitly connected hot water drinking to pain alleviation.
However, people frequently utilize heat packs and hot water bottles to alleviate pain. Consuming hot water may provide some relief from inside pain, but it is crucial to realize that heat can also worsen edema.
6. Fighting colds and improving sinus health
Heat applied to the sinuses can help relieve pressure caused by colds and nasal allergies. Steam also helps to clear the sinuses.
Drinking hot water may help mucus go faster. This means that drinking hot water may make coughing and nasal blowing more productive.
7. Encouraging consumption of coffee and tea
When combined with coffee or tea, hot water may provide extra health benefits. Coffee and caffeinated teas can dehydrate the body, especially in large amounts, although they can provide certain health benefits when used in moderation.
According to research published in 2017, coffee drinking is associated with a longer life. Other studies have linked moderate coffee drinking to a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease, certain malignancies, type 2 diabetes, certain liver disease, and cardiac problems.
Tea may help lower the risk of stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and liver disease. Some studies have linked tea to a lower risk of cancer, although the findings differ.
8. Reduced stress
A calming cup of hot water may help people cope with stress and anxiety. According to an older study, drinking hot beverages like tea and coffee can alleviate tension and anxiety.
According to the study, some of the effects are attributable to coffee, but the warmth also contributed to the individuals’ better mood.
The right temperature
Hot liquids like coffee or tea are frequently served at near-boiling temperatures. To reap the benefits of hot water, a person does not need to risk getting burned. People who detest hot water should consider drinking water at or slightly over their body temperature.
A 2008 studyTrusted Source found that the best drinking temperature for coffee is 136 °F (57.8°C). This temperature minimized the risk of burns while yet providing the pleasurable feelings of a hot beverage.
Positive Takeaway
Drinking hot water won’t magically cure everything, but it’s a simple and safe way to feel good. If you like it or want to try something new for your health, go ahead and enjoy your warm cup! As more people try it, maybe we’ll learn even more about why it’s good for us.
