While the benefits of drinking enough water every day are well-known, less well-known is that drinking hot or warm water can bring additional benefits that drinking cold water doesn’t. Perhaps you’ve seen runners at the end of a cross country race being given bottles of water or sports drinks. While the average person might expect those bottles to be ice cold in order to cool off hot, sweaty athletes, inevitably those bottles are kept at air temperature. That’s because it’s easier for the body to digest the electrolytes and nutrients from sports drinks if they are kept warm. And while regular consumption of warm water may be foreign to many Americans who are used to sipping a large glass of ice water, the benefits from drinking hot water don’t stop there.
1. Helps Weight Loss
Researchers in 2003 discovered that drinking 500 milliliters (about two cups) of water before a meal increased metabolism by 30 percent. That increased metabolism occurred within 10 minutes of drinking water, and peaked after 30-40 minutes. In total, it resulted in about 25 extra calories being burned. So those people who drink the recommended eight cups of water per day could burn up to 100 extra calories.
2. Aids Digestion
Warm water acts as a vasodilator, widening blood vessels and enhancing blood flow to the intestines to aid digestion. It also can help loosen up fats and oils in the digestive system, making them easier to digest.
3. Eases Constipation
Drinking warm or hot water can hep stimulate the intestines to induce bowel movements. Hot water also helps to break food down faster, reducing the risk of becoming constipated in the first place.
4. Improved Circulation and Blood Flow
Because it’s a vasodilator, drinking hot water can help blood circulate through your body. Healthy blood flow can affect blood pressure as well as lower your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
5. Decreased Infection Risk
While tap water should normally be safe to drink, boiling water will still kill any organisms present in the water, preventing the risk of opportunistic infections from any bacteria or viruses that may still be in the water or in your pipes.
6. Help Cleanse and Detoxify the Body
Drinking hot water can raise the body’s temperature, helping you to sweat and release toxins from your body.
7. Relieves Sore Throats and Nasal Congestion
Hot water can help ease sore throats, ease nasal congestion, and clear up mucus from the throat and respiratory tract. Try hot water with a little bit of lemon juice for some added vitamin C.
8. Better For Your Teeth
Drinking cold water can be detrimental to your teeth, particularly if you have fillings. The cold water can cause those fillings to contract and lose their bond with the teeth. Room temperature or body temperature water is best, as extreme temperatures either hot or cold can put stress on the teeth.