8 Benefits of Drinking Hot Water
There are numerous advantages to drinking hot water. Many health-conscious people make it a point to drink warm water first thing in the morning and immediately before bed.
What does science have to say about this practice, though?
Warm or hot water, according to research, improves digestion and relieves congestion while also lowering stress levels. You must, however, make sure that the water you drink is between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Otherwise, your tongue and throat may become burned.
Health Benefits of Drinking Hot Water
The most significant advantage of drinking hot water is that it aids digestion. Nasal congestion and stress are also reported to be relieved by drinking hot water. It also benefits the health of the esophagus.
(1) Helps to Clear Nasal Congestion
Hot water might help to alleviate congestion by loosening congested sinuses and nasal airways. It can also help with sinus headaches in this way.
Mucous membranes cover your entire neck and upper torso. Warming these areas and soothing a sore throat can be achieved by drinking hot water (often caused by a mucus build-up).
Hot liquids are superior to cold liquids in controlling fluids in the upper respiratory tract and treating infections associated with them, according to studies.
Hot beverages also help to alleviate the majority of cold and flu symptoms.
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(2) Aids in the treatment of achalasia
Achalasia is a disorder in which the lower section of the esophagus does not relax. This stops the food from entering the stomach. Warm foods (including water) have been shown in studies to help relax the lower esophagus (also known as the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES).
Hot water swallows were reported to help patients with achalasia relieve their symptoms in another research. Hot water moved through the LES faster than room temperature or cold water.
Another study discovered that drinking hot water relieved 88 percent of participants’ chest pain.
Cold water has been shown to worsen symptoms in achalasia sufferers.
(3) Promotes Weight Loss
According to one idea, hot water lingers in your stomach a little longer than cold water. This makes you feel fuller for longer, which may help you lose weight.
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(4) May Help to Relieve Pain
We discovered that hot water can increase circulation and blood flow. Although no studies have explicitly connected hot water consumption to pain alleviation, it may be beneficial.
Heat packs are commonly used to relieve pain. As a result, drinking hot water may help to alleviate internal discomfort. Heat, on the other hand, can exacerbate swelling. As a result, you should talk to your doctor about it.
(5) Helps With detoxification
When you drink hot water, your internal body temperature rises. Although very momentary, this stimulates your endocrine system, causing you to sweat. This can assist in the removal of toxins from your body.
Toxins in the body can also hasten the aging process. By removing them, you may be able to delay the onset of indications of aging.
It is beneficial to drink hot water. It may appear to be overly simplistic, but it has a positive impact. What about cold water, though? What is the difference between drinking it and drinking hot water?
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(6) Helps with digestion
Your digestive tract can be activated by drinking hot water. The digesting process is improved as a result of this. Hot water also aids in the dispersal of particles in your system that may have been difficult to digest.
Hot water also dilates blood vessels and directs blood flow to the colon, aiding digestion even more. The temperature of hot water after a meal emulsifies lipids and makes them more digestible (in case you suffer from gastric reflux avoid drinking excessive water before and after meals, as this can dilute gastric juices making digestion more difficult, which may cause reflux).
The temperature of the food has also been shown to affect the rate of stomach emptying in studies. This could also assist with constipation.
(7) De-stresses
Drinking hot water can help your central nervous system work better, as well as reduce stress. According to a study, adding warm milk to hot water can enhance the stress-relieving effects. It’s crucial to note, though, that milk and dairy products encourage mucus production. This may help with stress relief, but it will not help with nasal congestion.
Though the study credits the liquid’s stress-relieving properties to caffeine (which was added to the milk), it also emphasizes the importance of the beverage’s warmth.
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(8) May improve blood circulation.
Hot water dilates your arteries and veins, facilitating greater blood flow throughout your body. This can also help to keep your blood pressure in check.
The Benefits of Drinking Hot Water vs. Cold Water
- Cold water has several advantages, particularly when your body temperature is rising. This can happen when you’re exercising or participating in strenuous activity. Cold water is effective while you are traveling in the scorching sun and are at risk of heat stroke.
- The temperature of your body returns to normal when you drink cold water. It also aids in faster rehydration. In some situations, drinking hot water could be a terrible idea.
Except the aforementioned circumstances, hot water is always preferable. However, there are a few considerations to be made.
What Are the Risks of Using Hot Water?
Please keep in mind that when we say “hot water,” we don’t mean “very hot.” You don’t want to burn your taste buds or injure your esophagus. You wouldn’t want to scald your tongue either!
You should avoid drinking hot water that is close to boiling. It’s advisable to take a modest sip before taking a big mouthful.
The temperature of hot water (or warm water) ranges from 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Of course, you won’t be able to gauge the temperature all of the time. As a result, a test sip should be beneficial.
According to Ayurvedic medicine, drinking hot water regularly aids in physical healing. Hot water also aids digestion and aids in the removal of pollutants. Better circulation and relief from nasal congestion are some advantages of drinking hot water.
While cold water can help you rehydrate and restore your body temperature, hot water can assist you to relieve tension and pain. You should avoid drinking boiling water since it may scorch your throat. Before gulping it down, take a sip to make sure it’s the appropriate temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
(1) Can we drink hot water before going to bed?
Drinking hot water before bed helps keep you hydrated all night long while also flushing toxins from your system. You can also drink hot water on an empty stomach in the morning to help your digestive system get started.
(2) How healthy is it to sip hot water with honey or lemon?
Drinking hot water with a touch of honey and lemon will help you feel better. You can enjoy the potent nutrients in both honey and lemon in addition to the benefits we’ve outlined. A strong mix of vitamins B and C, potassium, and iron can be found in the drink.
Lemon also aids in the creation of hydrochloric acid by the stomach, resulting in improved digestion and nutritional absorption. Lemon with warm water is an excellent pre-meal and first-thing-in-the-morning drink to assist jump-start the digestive system and aid in toxin clearance.
Disclaimer
This article provides general information about the topic and is not to be taken as medical advice or as an alternative to medical advice, treatment, and/or diagnosis. Always consult with your doctor before trying out any of the remedies/recipes suggested in the blog post.
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