Water Ever thought about what the benefits of hot water are?
Whether ice cold or steaming hot, water is always a good choice for hydrating your body.
Some say drinking hot water, as opposed to cold water, ensures better digestion, relieves congestion and promotes relaxation.
Since there is so little study in this area, anecdotal evidence is the primary source for claims that hot water is good for your health. However, many people find relief after using this treatment, particularly in the morning and before bed.
It has been shown that the ideal temperature for drinking hot beverages is between 130 and 160 degrees Fahrenheit (54 and 71 degrees Celsius). Above this, the risk of suffering from burns or scalds increases.
10 potential health benefits of drinking hot water are discussed in this article.
1. Water Could Help With Stuffy Noses
Steam forms as you pour boiling water into a cup. Sinus congestion and pain can be alleviated by holding a cup of hot water and inhaling the vapor deeply.
Sipping it hot may assist if you have a painful throat from mucus buildup. Your sinuses and throat are lined with mucous membranes, so warming them with the liquid will aid.
A prior study from 2008 found that drinking something hot, like tea, helped with congestion, coughing, sore throat, and fatigue. The hot beverage’s effectiveness was enhanced compared to the identical beverage served at room temperature.
2. Helpful For Digestion
Water aids digestion by keeping the digestive tract working. Waste products are flushed out faster as water travel through the digestive tract.
Many people think starting their day with a glass of hot water is the best way to get their digestive systems going.
If your body is having difficulties digesting the food you just ate, a bath in hot water would help break it down and flush it out of your system.
Warm water may help with bowel motions and gas following surgery, according to a 2016 study (although further research is needed to confirm this benefit).
Meanwhile, there’s no harm in trying to improve your digestion by drinking hot water if you find it helps.
3. Water Potentially Enhances Brain And Nervous-System Performance.
Lack of fluid intake, be it hot or cold, has been linked to impaired nervous system function, which can have far-reaching consequences on one’s mood and cognitive abilities.
According to research, drinking water has been demonstrated to boost CNS activity and mood.
Drinking water has increased brain activity during challenging occupations and decreased self-reported anxiety.
4. It Could Be a Good Option for Those Suffering From Constipation
Constipation often results from a lack of fluids in the body. Therefore, it’s essential to stay hydrated. Water consumption is often helpful in relieving and preventing constipation. Water consumption aids in the softening of feces, which facilitates bowel movements.
Maintaining regular bowel motions may be facilitated by drinking hot water regularly.
5. Maintains Fluid Balance
Even though some data indicate that chilly water is optimal for rehydration, it is still essential to drink water, regardless of its temperature, to maintain enough fluid intake.
The Institute of Medicine suggests that women drink 78 ounces (2.3 liters) and men drink 112 ounces (3.3 liters) of water daily. These estimates incorporate the water in foods such as fruits, vegetables, and melted foods.
If you’re pregnant, nursing, doing physical labor, or working in a hot environment, your body’s water needs will increase significantly.
The day might go better if you drank a cup of hot water first thing and then another before bed. Water is crucial to the proper functioning of your body, and its importance cannot be emphasized.
6. Reduces Cold-Induced Trembling
Even though shivering is the body’s normal reaction to cold, consuming warm fluids could help minimize shivering.
Participants wore suits heated with water slightly above freezing and drank water at temperatures ranging from 68 to 126 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 52 degrees Celsius).
Scientists discovered that participants needed less energy to keep themselves warm after rapidly drinking the hot water. The research suggests that it could be helpful for people working or exercising in the cold.
7. Water Raises Oxygen and Blood Levels in the Blood
The two most apparent outcomes of poor blood flow are high blood pressure and an increased likelihood of cardiovascular disease.
Indulging in a hot soak can relax your muscles and allow your arteries and veins to dilate, allowing the blood to flow more smoothly and efficiently to all body parts.
Perhaps consuming hot water would have the same effect. However, evidence that this works is scant.
The warmth from a hot drink or bath before bed will help you unwind and prepare for a pleasant night’s sleep.
8. Potentially Lowers Levels of Stress
Since ingesting hot water has been shown to enhance the performance of the central nervous system, it may help alleviate anxious feelings.
A 2014 study found that people who consumed less water reported decreased serenity, satisfaction, and good emotions.
Keeping yourself hydrated could positively affect your disposition and ability to unwind.
9. Water May Aid the Body’s Natural Detoxifying Processes
Although there is no hard evidence that hot water has any particular effect, a study in 2020 revealed that increasing one’s water intake can protect the kidneys and dilute waste products in the blood, which can help the body function more efficiently.
The Arthritis Foundation recommends keeping yourself hydrated to help flush out toxins. It may also aid in treating inflammation, maintaining healthy joint lubrication, and protecting against gout.
10. Possibility of Reducing Achalasia-Related Discomfort
For those suffering from achalasia, swallowing food might be a difficult or impossible task.
Achalasia is characterized by difficulty swallowing. They may experience difficulty swallowing and a sensation that food is stuck in their esophagus. We have a name for this condition: dysphagia.
Drinking warm water may help those with achalasia digest more quickly. However, researchers aren’t sure why. This finding comes from a 2012 study.
What Potential Dangers of Hot Water Exist?
It’s dangerous to drink water that’s too hot since it can burn your taste buds and scald your tongue, in addition to potentially damaging the tissue in your esophagus. Caution should be exercised when ingesting hot liquids. If you need to rehydrate, it’s advisable to drink cool water rather than heat.
In most cases, however, it is permissible to use hot water as a cure with no adverse consequences.
In Conclusion
While there is limited hard evidence comparing the health benefits of hot and cold water, it is generally accepted that the former is preferable for hydration purposes.
Drinking hot water as a habit is simple to adopt. You might start your day with it that you boiled and let cool. If you don’t like tea or coffee, hot water with lemon may be more to your liking.
You can feel refreshed and ready to take on the day if you incorporate a little stretch session into your daily routine.
If you’re not a fan of the flavor of plain warm water, you may spice it up with a squeeze of lemon or lime.
After a long day, unwind with a warm glass of water before bed. A good night’s sleep is yours to take once you learn about the health benefits.
