Why You Should Never Drink Cold Water: | By Now I've Seen ...

Some people believe that drinking cold water is a bad habit that can harm your long-term health. This belief is based on the idea that drinking cold water contracts your stomach, making it harder to digest food after a meal.

Some people also believe that your body has to work harder to maintain its internal temperature of 98.6°F (37°C) if you’re drinking water that’s near the temperature of ice, or less than 36°F (4°C).

But is there any truth to these ideas? Keep reading to find out the possible risks and benefits of drinking cold water.

Risks

Drinking cold water does affect your body in ways you might not anticipate or want. An older and small study from 1978Trusted Source, involving 15 people, found that drinking cold water made nasal mucous thicker and more difficult to pass through the respiratory tract.

By comparison, the researchers found that chicken soup and hot water helped people breathe more easily. If you’re trying to treat a cold or flu, drinking cold water might make your congestion feel worse.

Benefits

Drinking cold water does have benefits.

According to a 2012 study Source, drinking cold water during exercise can help keep your body from overheating and make your workout session more successful. This is probably because drinking cold water makes it easier for your body to maintain a lower core temperature.

Can drinking cold water help with weight loss?

Drinking plain water, no matter the temperature, has been associatedTrusted Source with lower calorie intake throughout the day.

Drinking water as an alternative to sugary beverages is good for your digestionTrusted Source and maintaining a moderate weight, even if the water you drink is on the colder side.

Is warm or hot water better than cold water?  Drinking warm water can:

• help digestion
• aid in circulation
• assist the body in getting rid of toxins faster

While this isn’t a “risk,” per se, it’s something to keep in mind as you decide how you’d like to get water in your body.

Drinking warm or hot water has been foundTrusted Source to make you less thirsty. This can be dangerous on days when your body is trying to keep cool by losing water through sweat.