Staying hydrated is crucial, 60% of our bodies are made up of water and we need enough of it to fuel our bodies and to enable the proper functioning of our organs. After a long night’s sleep, it’s common to wake up feeling a little dehydrated, so to combat this, many of us reach for a glass of water to rehydrate.
The water most of us opt for first thing is usually cold but many people aren’t aware that there could be several benefits from drinking it hot instead – everything from boosted digestion, to relief from constipation, sinus congestion, and cramps.
It’s important to remember that drinking any water that’s fit for human consumption will do your body good – as too many of us don’t drink enough. Experts currently recommend that most people should be aiming to drink between 11 to 16 glasses daily, though this amount will vary, depending on multiple factors, including your age, activity level, the weather and your body’s individual needs.
But is there any truth to the belief that drinking hot water first thing in the morning is beneficial? Not that many studies have been conducted on the benefits of hot water but some research has been carried out – so read on, as we’ll be examining all the scientific reasons as to why you should consider switching from cold to hot! We’ll also be looking at the origins of this practice and revealing the correct temperature to aim for if you want to drink your water hot, plus we’ll share some handy hacks to make the hot water you drink taste better.
Where did drinking hot water originate from?
Ancient practitioners of Chinese medicine advised their patients to start the day with a drink of hot water to aid the digestive system and this practice is still recommended in Chinese medicine to this day- but where did this belief originate from?
Firstly, it was a matter of practicality – in Ancient China, it was far harder to keep food and beverages cold than it was to keep them warm. It was so difficult to freeze food, that during the reign of the imperial family during the Zhou Dynasty, they employed a special team of servants to harvest ice during the winter months! As well, the substandard living standards most Chinese people were subjected to, meant that for many, staying warm was more important than cooling down – and drinking a hot beverage like water, which was relatively abundant and free, helped them feel more toasty.
Hot water’s starring role really took off after the Taiping Rebellion broke out in 1850 in eastern China, as this event caused 1.5 million refugees to flood into Shanghai and by May of 1861, a major cholera epidemic had erupted. The south remained relatively unaffected by the outbreak and though research eventually showed that the epidemic was actually spread by northbound mailboats, people at the time weren’t aware of this, so they attributed the South’s escape to the powers of hot water!
The practice of drinking hot water regularly isn’t just limited to the Chinese though, as it has also long been an Ayurvedic recommendation, particularly during the colder months, as it’s believed to keep the Vata and Kapha doshas in balance. Ayurvedic doctors recommend boiling water for ten minutes before consuming it, as this is believed to stimulate the agni, or digestive fire, and prevent the build up of ama, or toxins which slow down digestion.
Many people in the West still favour cold water over hot, but even we have some history with the heated beverage too – as far back as the time of King Richard III, in England, people were adding herbs and spices to water and boiling it, to make tonics to enhance their health!
Can hot water boost the digestive process?
Switching your morning glass of water for hot instead of cold could aid toxin drainage, boost the circulation of blood and help keep your digestive system in tip top shape. It’s hypothesised that hot water can aid digestion by speeding up the breakdown of food – and by flushing out toxins faster, you’ll give your body an automatic circulation boost too.
Interestingly, there is some science behind this principle – one study that was conducted on post-weaned rabbits who were given warm water to drink, found that it optimised the growth and performance of beneficial gut flora.
A constipation remedy
Do you find that you have difficulty passing bowel movements, or are you struggling to stay regular? Constipation is often caused by dehydration, so if you suffer from this condition regularly, drinking a few glasses of very warm water soon after you get up could make a crucial difference – as it will stimulate your bowel movements and loosen up your stools.
There’s research to support this theory – one study conducted on stroke victims, found that giving warm water to participants for three days running eased their constipation symptoms, with 80% of the participants experiencing relief!
It can help relieve period cramps
Do you dread it when it’s time for your monthly cycle due to the onset of the dreaded cramps? If so, downing a few glasses of hot water could help ease some of the pain you experience, as the heat from the water has the power to soothe uncomfortable stomach muscle spasms.
Science attests to warm water’s pain relieving power – researchers conducting a study on patients who had undergone abdominal surgery discovered that warm water was able to relieve their intestinal spasms and aid digestion, plus it had a positive effect on the intestines.
Is it true that hot water can speed up weight loss?
Did you know that if you glug a couple of cups of hot water soon after you get up in the morning, you could boost your metabolic rate by raising your body’s temperature?
Boosting your metabolism means you increase the speed at which your body can burn calories – which is great news if you’re looking to lose weight! Though hot water can’t make you shed the pounds on its own, research has found that staying hydrated definitely aids weight loss. For optimum fat-shredding, you should ideally combine exercise and a healthy diet but this handy hot water trick could certainly give you a little extra boost.
There’s another benefit to drinking hot water if you want to get trim too – as it can make you feel more full up, so you snack less and eat less at mealtimes, plus you can drink it instead of a higher calorie beverage, such as tea or coffee with sugar and cream. On top of all this, as your body has to expend excess energy to cool down hot liquids, it uses up a few more calories. All things considered, if your goal is to lose weight, there could be several benefits to drinking your water hot.
Does drinking hot water help ease a cold?
When you have a stuffy nose, blocked ears, or a throat full of mucus, people often recommend steaming over a bowl of hot water. This isn’t for no reason, as the heat from the steam loosens the built up mucus, so it can flow, which lets you breathe easier.
Drinking hot water can help you to do the same and it’s a great way to start your day, whenever you’re feeling bunged up. There’s another benefit too – hot water can bust the bacteria that causes your sore throat in the first place, easing your pain and bringing relief to your respiratory system.
There is some scientific evidence that demonstrates the effectiveness of hot beverages when you’re under the weather – one study carried out on 30 people, showed that hot drinks can offer both a temporary and sustained improvement in cold symptoms – including nasal airflow, runny nose, cough, and sore throat!
What can I add to hot water to make it taste better?
Hot water can taste a bit bland and because of this many people find it difficult to cement the habit instead of reaching for tea or coffee first thing. To motivate you to keep at it, why not try adding some flavour to your morning hot water, as there are many things you use to jazz it up, which will also enhance the health effects.
Lemon and honey
For a serious vitamin C boost you can add in a twist of zesty lemon to your hot water to create a deliciously refreshing lemon drink. This is also a great move if you’re trying to cut back on calories, as lemon helps to curb food cravings. Add in some honey to the lemon if you’re feeling under the weather for an extra soothing and decongesting treat.
Spices and herbs
For a warming and nutritious beverage that wakes you up and keeps you toasty on cold mornings, try adding in some spices and herbs to your hot water, such as cinnamon, basil, or ginger. Infuse your spices in a cafetiere the same way you would make ground coffee and experiment with combos to discover your own personal favourite flavour blend.
Cocoa Powder
Did you know you can add cocoa powder to hot water without adding milk? This is a great way to get the super-antioxidant benefits of cocoa but still enjoy healthful hot water first thing. Just add a spoonful of cocoa to a mug then pour in your hot water and enjoy a delicious beverage that’s bursting with health benefits.
Berries
Infusing your morning cuppa with fruity berries is not only a delicious way to drink your water but it’s also good for you. Berries are packed with antioxidants, vitamin c and other nutrients such as magnesium, potassium and fibre, so by doing this, you’ll be turbocharging your healthy hot water habit.
Is it better to consume your morning water hot or cold?
The answer is likely both depending on the situation, your body’s requirements and even the weather. In the colder months, it’s probably better to drink your water hot, as it will help raise your body temperature and give your circulation a temporary boost – but in the summer, when you’re looking to stay cool, cold water might be a more thirst quenching option.
Scientific studies have indicated that the temperature of the water you drink can affect the amount you sweat, as well as your hydration levels. Warm water relaxes the digestive system and can help to decongest your sinuses and lessen painful cramps but if you are switching from cold to hot, make sure you’re getting enough. One study conducted by the United States Army found that opting for warmer water, with a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius, can make people want to consume less water and this can lead to you becoming dehydrated.
Some people should actively avoid drinking cold water – such as those that suffer from achalasia, a condition that affects the food pipe and makes swallowing foods and drinks difficult. If you have this relatively rare condition, you shouldn’t drink cold water, as it can worsen symptoms, according to a Chinese study that assessed the esophageal response to both hot and cold beverages. When study participants drank hot water, they found it helped to relax their food pipe, allowing them to swallow foods and drinks with greater ease.
Drinking cold water can also be a trigger for migraine sufferers and it can cause headaches in other people too, especially if it’s ice-cold. Though it’s excellent for lowering your core body temperature in the warmer months, cold water can slow down digestion, as it contracts the digestive system and it can also worsen stomach cramps and indigestion. It’s true that warm water can help to boost your metabolism, but so can cold, albeit in a different way, through a process known as cold-activated thermogenesis. When you consume water cold, it causes your body to heat up the water you’ve drunk by raising your metabolism by as much as 30%.
Ultimately, there are definitely benefits to drinking both hot and cold water, so it’s up to you whether you want to opt for either or even both – but the crucial takeaway is that drinking enough water is vital, no matter the temperature, particularly, if you’re exercising a lot.
Our Verdict: Is drinking hot water simply a lifestyle choice?
Not too much research has been conducted to test the benefits of hot water over cold, so it’s best to weigh up the potential gains and the scientific evidence that has been done, before deciding what’s best for you. The good news is, whatever you decide, drinking hot water that’s sanitary is totally safe and any water that’s drinkable will help you keep hydrated.
If you do want to switch from cold to hot, making the habit stick is a cinch – when you get up in the morning, simply boil a kettle, add your choice of ingredients, such as lemon and drink up! Drinking water is a far better way to begin the day than tea or coffee that can deplete your adrenal glands and because you’ll be heating it, you’ll still be able to enjoy a steaming hot beverage.
It’s vital you don’t drink your water too hot as you could scald your throat, or worse – research has found that drinking extremely hot beverages that have a temperature of over 65 degrees Celsius could increase your chances of developing cancer of the oesophagus.
One study carried out by the University of Texas found that the best temperature to consume hot drinks was 57.8 degrees Celsius, as this gives you the benefits of a hot drink, while lessening your chances of burns.
At the end of the day, both cool and hot water offer benefits, whether that’s to chill your body temperature during the summer, or keep you warm in the winter months. We recommend when you’re consuming your daily dose of aqua, you should choose the temperature you enjoy best – as overall, the most important thing is that you’re drinking enough water full stop.