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Wellness

You're drinking water wrong: Why doctors say temperature matters more than you think

You might be missing out on some serious health benefits.

Photo credit: Canva

Could you be more effective with your water intake?

Here’s something we all know but rarely think about: 75% of the human body is made up of water. Essentially, we’re water balloons with legs, or whatever the heckFlubber was. To maintain that internal reservoir, humans need to drink 15 cups of water (for men) and 11 cups of water (for women) daily. It doesn’t take a math whiz to realize that’s a lot of water. To put that into perspective, according to the Omni Calculator (a great online tool that determines a person’s total body water volume using a formula developed by Dr. P.E. Watson), beloved character actor Steve Buscemi is currently carrying around 83.74 pounds of water in his body, or approximately 10 gallons.

But what if you’ve been drinking water, that sweet elixir of life, all wrong? Or, at the very least, ineffectively? Just as every plant has its ideal growing conditions, according to doctors and medical professionals, the temperature of the water we drink matters a lot more than you might think.

Woman, drinking water, hydration. hydration, water temperatureThis goes beyond personal preference.Photo credit: Canva

Room-temperature, ice-cold and straight from the fridge, slightly warm for no reason at all: when it comes to drinking water, everyone has their own unique methods of getting the job done—but while we continue to chug our preferred water temperatures without question, we might be missing out on some serious health benefits—or even causing ourselves unnecessary discomfort.

Medical experts have discovered that water temperature, when used at the right time, can significantly improve your wellbeing, affecting everything from how we digest our food to how well we perform during workouts. All water hydrates, but the temperature at which you drink it can make all the difference.

Room-temperature water is your digestive system's best friend

Ariana grande, sipping, drinking, hydrate, waterTry a new morning routine with water.Giphy

When to drink

Good morning! Many dieticians and wellness experts recommend drinking room-temperature water (about 68°F) first thing in the morning to gently activate your gastrointestinal tract (It also promotes regular bowel movements, FYI). This gentle approach is often referred to as “Japanese water therapy,” and encourages sipping 4-5 glasses (about ¾-cup each) upon waking then waiting 45 minutes before breakfast. It’s also great for everyday hydration, since room-temperature water is often easier to gulp.

Why it works

"In Chinese medicine we advocate drinking warm water because of its effect on the digestive system," Dr. Jill Blakeway, a licensed doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine explains. “Drinking cold water can congeal the fats in food and because of that can make the digestive system sluggish." Your body absorbs room-temperature water more easily, causing minimal disruption to the digestive system, making it the go-to option for sensitive stomachs.

Ice-cold water is perfect for workouts and hot days

Man, ice-cold water, glass, ice water, waterCheers to the athletes and workout buddies.Giphy

When to drink

This one is for the athletes and fitness gurus: Cold water (around 41°F from the fridge or 60°F from the tap) is your new best friend. Like a refreshing summer breeze, cold water has a natural way of cooling the body down during or after an exercise. It also gives your metabolism a tiny boost: according to research, your body expends about five calories per ounce of ice while warming the water to body temperature.

Why it works

Studies show that drinking cold water triggers a special reflex that helps you to stop sweating sooner, effectively lowering your core temperature and enhancing overall performance. “It turns out that sweating stops before fluid can completely be incorporated into the body,” says gastroenterologist Dr. Brian Weiner. “There’s some kind of reflex that acknowledges liquid intake, and studies have shown that it kicks in more at the cold tap water level.”

Hot water soothes what ails you

Woman, mug, hot drink, sipping, hot, hot waterHot drinks create steam, which clears out so much internally. Photo by Jarek Ceborski on Unsplash

When to drink

Hot water (130-160°F) can be incredibly soothing when you’re under the weather. So, if you’re feeling congested or battling a sore throat, a nice mug of hot water might be just what the doctor ordered. A 2008 study found that hot drinks work like a natural remedy, providing quick, lasting relief from runny noses, coughing, sore throats, and fatigue.

Why it works

Like a warm summer rain, hot water creates steam that helps clear sinus congestion, while its pacifying warmth relaxes the gastrointestinal and digestive muscles. In fact, a small study showed that warm water worked wonders for patients recovering from surgery, improving their comfort and digestive health. Warm or hot water can also literally melt away stress, as long as temperatures are kept comfortably warm: water above 160°F can scald your esophagus or damage your taste buds.

When to avoid certain water temperatures

While most doctors agree that drinking enough water is far more important than the temperature, there are specific circumstances to keep in mind:

Shaking head, no, refusing, nope, gifKnow when to say no.Giphy

  • Migraines. Do not drink cold water! Research from 2001 found that the refreshing drink can trigger—or even exacerbate—headaches in those who are already prone to them.
  • Achalasia. If your esophagus is compromised, cold water can worsen symptoms. Try swapping in warm water instead, which can help soothe and relax the lower esophageal sphincter.
  • Hot, sweaty days. Surprisingly, despite what old wives’ tales might say, warm water can actually make you feel less thirsty, which registered dietician Vanessa Rissetto warns "can be dangerous on days when your body is losing water through sweating to try to keep cool."

We all know drinking water is important, but just as a garden thrives with the right care at the right time, you can optimize and customize that all-essential water you drink throughout the day. Whether that’s out of a Stanley tumbler, Owala water bottle, or Yeti flask, is up to you.

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Heroes

24 truths cold-weather lovers will know by heart. Plus 1 myth we should get rid of.

Seems like the entire eastern half of the United States is turning into the North Pole this week. For some people that sounds like a nightmare, but there are always those few of us who revel in cold weather.

Well, either way, in honor of those of you who are riding polar bears to work this week, here are 24 truths cold-weather people might know to be true.

And one misconception we really should get rid of.

1. Getting socks as a present is awesome.

Image from Caroline/Flickr.

Thanks, Grandma! Other people might like to complain, but you know how amazing a good pair of socks can be. It's almost as good as a scarf.

2. No bed fort is complete without at least three blankets and a breathing hole.

Image from Kate Brady/Flickr.

Plus at least one more for your feet.

3. You know that a two-dog night isn't just a saying.

Image from Edralis/Wikimedia Commons.

The more pets you have = the more living space heaters.

4. You don't know what that Japanese heater-table thing is called, but you want one.

And if you didn't, you do now. Image from Tim Notari/Wikimedia Commons.

It's known as a kotatsu (you're welcome). It has a tabletop, a heater underneath, and big pillowy blankets all around. It looks so warm and comfortable! Where can I get one?

5. Walking barefoot across a cold floor or opening the windows will wake you up faster than coffee.

Image from Andrew Ratto/Flickr.

A cup of coffee takes about 15-20 minutes to wake you up. A cold floor will take 15-20 minutes off your life.

6. You tip the heck out of delivery people.

Image from Simon/Pixabay.

You got the large pepperoni, right?

7. But no matter how cozy the house is, eventually you have to go outside.

Image from Dwight Sipler/Flickr.

At some point you'll be out of Pop-Tarts and tissues, and you're not quite willing to burn the chairs for warmth yet.

8. That doesn't mean you have to like it.

Image from Anthony Quintano/Flickr.

Even people who like the cold aren't necessarily eager to leave the comforts of home.

9. But you don't have to hate it either.

Image from Bruno Sanchez-Andrade Nuño/Wikimedia Commons.

10. Because watching your dog frolic in the snow for the first time will melt your heart, even if it’s 12 degrees out.

11. And you know exactly how long it'll be before the lake's frozen enough to walk on.

Image from Alan Cleaver/Flickr.

Four inches of ice will support an adult person's weight. Eight to 12 inches can hold a car!

12. Walking like a penguin really is the best way to not fall down.

GIF from Discovery Channel.

Most of the time.

13. You know that bubbles freeze.

Image from Paul VanDerWerf/Flickr.

Bubbles are just soapy water, after all, so if you get it cold enough, they'll turn to ice.

14. You don’t need mascara because frost will cling to your eyelashes making you look like a Disney princess.

Image from "The Shining."

But don't go outside with wet hair after showering.

15. Waterproof shoes are a must.

Image from Ginny/Flickr.

And jeans are not the same as snow pants. It only takes one fall, and then you have a wet butt the entire day.

16. If you shovel out your parking spot and put a chair in it, that means it's yours.

Image from Petichok/Wikimedia Commons.

17. And if you shovel the entire sidewalk, that makes you a true American hero.

Image from Rebecca Wilson/Flickr.

And if you shovel your elderly neighbor's driveway too, you deserve to be, like, president or something.

18. Every year seems like the coldest one ever.

Image from Eli Duke/Flickr.

"Did I ever tell you whippersnappers about the great blizzard of ought-eight?"

19. But you might also know that, actually, the last couple of years have been pretty warm.

Image from DncnH/Flickr.

Climate change has been pushing the average global temperature up over the years.

20. In fact, 15 of the top 16 warmest years since 1880 have all been in this century.

Image from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Yes, every single year since 2001 is up there. And 2015 was the warmest of all. Which leads to the biggest point in this entire list:

21. One bout of cold weather doesn't disprove global warming!

Image from mylifeclicks1023/Flickr.

And one snowball doesn't disprove thousands of scientists.

22. Because climate and weather aren't the same thing.

Image from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Flickr.

Weather is short-term; climate is long-term. Saying that one winter storm disproves climate change is like saying one spelling mistake makes J. K. Rowling a bad writer. You have to look at the larger story. And the larger story is that the Earth is getting warmer.

23. And actually, on the whole, climate change may make winter storms worse.

Image from Anthony Quintano/Flickr.

There are many complicated factors, including changes to the jet stream and precipitation patterns, but overall, climate change is causing more extreme weather. Instead of getting snow a little at a time, we're now more likely to get it all at once.

24. So this won't be the last time the U.S. will look like this:

Image from NASA/NOAA/Goddard Rapid Response Team.

This idea that cold weather can't happen during climate change needs to go away.

There is tremendous progress being made in the fight against climate change. The U.S. is slowly but steadily increasing its share of renewable energy. In December, nearly 200 countries agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to head off climate change. And everyday, people are doing their part by saving electricity, planting trees, and recycling.

But this myth about cold weather has been a continual thorn in our collective consciousness. And it needs to die.

By spreading the word, we can help stamp out this pervasive misconception and help more people realize that we need to do more about climate change!

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