You probably already know that drinking water is good for you, but what the majority of people do not know is that the temperature of your drinking water matters.
There is an ongoing debate among health and medical circles as to which is better to drink: cold or hot water? The answer goes against what most of you probably practice in your daily routine.
Can Drinking Water Help You Lose Weight?
Drinking enough water isn’t just important for staying hydrated. Some research points to water as an important factor in weight loss.
A study published in 2011 revealed that drinking water can actually help your body use up more energy (ie. burn calories) even while you’re resting. Researchers asked 21 overweight children to drink a glass of water before bed and measured the amount of energy they were using up afterward. They found that for almost an hour afterward, the children’s baseline energy use was increased by 25%. [1]
Drinking Hot Water After Meal
Lead researcher, Gal Dubnov-Raz says, “Water drinking could assist overweight children in weight loss or maintenance, and may warrant emphasis in dietary guidelines against the obesity epidemic.”If you’re going to benefit from drinking water, here’s why you should opt for either a room temperature glass or a nice steamy mug of hot water. [1]
If you’re going to benefit from drinking water, here’s why you should opt for either a room temperature glass or a nice steamy mug of hot water.
Benefits of drinking hot water in the morning
Relieve Pain
Believe it or not, a glass of hot water can be nearly all you need to soothe body pain and headaches. The heat helps improve capillary circulation thereby relaxing the muscles and nerves in the body and minimizing the stress of tension.
Women can particularly benefit from a cup of hot water during painful menstruation as it can relax spasms in and around the abdomen and uterus. [2]
Improve Circulation
Our bodies can be particularly stiff and sore first thing in the morning because of the decrease in heart rate and slowed circulation. Drinking hot water can immediately improve blood circulation and loosen tight blood vessels throughout the body. [2]
Slow Aging
The reason we age is partially due to cell damage from toxins entering our body from our food and the environment that surrounds us. Warm water can help flush toxins from the body by relaxing tight internal pores and purging the debris that may otherwise remain trapped.
The added hydration that warm water provides can also rejuvenate skins elasticity and encourage the healthy glow so often sought through chemical cosmetic creams and toners. [2]
Regulate Weight
As opposed to cold water which can slow heart rate and lower the body’s temperature, hot water can actually accelerate the metabolism and encourage weight loss with quicker caloric turn over.
Additionally, the kidneys benefit from a hot morning bath and function better to help the body regulate blood sugar levels, relieving urges to purge on sweets and junk food, which is a big culprit in the battle to manage weight. [2]
