14 Health Benefits of Drinking Warm Water
Drinking water is crucial for your health, but did you know that drinking hot water can have even more benefits?
Drinking hot water has been a common practice in many cultures for centuries, and it is believed to have many health benefits.
In this blog post, you will learn about the health benefits of drinking hot water.
14 Health Benefits of Drinking Hot Water
1. Improves Digestion
Drinking hot water can improve digestion by increasing the temperature of the stomach and intestines. This increase in temperature can promote gastric motility (1), which means that the muscles in the digestive tract contract more frequently and with greater force, helping to break down food more efficiently.
Try drinking warm water half an hour before eating your meals, and see how it magically helps you digest the food easily.
Relevant Link: Best Time to Drink Water.
2. Aids in Weight Loss
Drinking hot water can help with weight loss by boosting metabolism. When you drink hot water, your body has to work to cool it down, which can increase your metabolic rate. Additionally, hot water can help to reduce appetite by making you feel full, which can lead to consuming fewer calories.
If you are struggling to shed those extra kilos, then start drinking warm water in the morning. You can also add 1 or 2 spoons of raw honey. Warm water helps in melting down the excess fat tissues that add unwanted weight to your body. Along with your daily exercises, this will prove highly effective in your endeavor to lose weight (2).
3. Boosts the Immune System
Hot water can improve the functioning of the immune system by helping to flush out toxins from the body (3). It can also help to improve the flow of lymphatic fluid, which plays a key role in the immune system.
4. Detoxifies the Body
One of the biggest advantages of drinking warm water is it can effectively flush out harmful toxins from your digestive system.
Drinking hot water can help to detoxify the body by increasing sweating and urination. When you sweat, you release toxins from your body, and when you urinate, you flush out toxins from your kidneys.
5. Relieves Constipation
Hot water can help to relieve constipation by softening the stools and promoting bowel movements. When you drink hot water, it can help to stimulate the digestive tract and soften the stools, making them easier to pass (4).
Poor digestion and irregular bowel movement are the most common and probably the most severe health problems that most Indians suffer from.
If you too are suffering from the same then drinking hot water can give you instant relief. All you have to do is drink 1-2 glasses of hot water first thing in the morning.
6. Reduces Stress
Drinking hot water can have a calming effect on the body and reduce stress levels. The warmth of the water can help to relax the muscles and ease tension, which can help to reduce anxiety and stress.
7. Relieves Nasal Congestion
Hot water can help to relieve nasal congestion by moistening the mucous membranes and promoting drainage (5). When you drink hot water, it can help to thin out the mucus in the nasal passages, making it easier to breathe.
8. Soothes Sore Throat
Drinking hot water can provide relief for a sore throat by reducing inflammation and providing hydration. The warmth of the water can help to soothe the throat and reduce inflammation, while hydration can help to flush out any toxins.
Out of all the benefits of warm water that we have discussed so far, this one gives you the most instant results. Thatâs why everyone recommends drinking warm water when you are suffering from a cough or cold (6).
9. Promotes Blood Circulation
Hot water can promote blood circulation by opening up the blood vessels and improving oxygen delivery to the body. When you drink hot water, it can help to dilate the blood vessels, allowing for better circulation throughout the body (7).
10. Relieves Menstrual Cramps
Hot water can help to relieve menstrual cramps by relaxing the abdominal muscles and reducing inflammation. The warmth of the water can help to soothe the muscles and reduce cramping (8).
Many women suffer from terrible cramps during the first two days of their menstrual cycles, and, to feel better they hug a hot water bag around their tummy. The next time you get these menstrual pains, drink some hot water instead and see how the pain magically vanishes.
11. Alleviates Joint Pain
Drinking hot water can alleviate joint pain by reducing inflammation and promoting the relaxation of the muscles and joints. The warmth of the water can help to soothe the joints and muscles (9), while the hydration can help to flush out any toxins that may be contributing to the pain.
Not only joint pains but drinking warm water is very effective for beating body aches. In the case of muscular cramps, drinking warm water is known to have magical effects. The heat of warm water spreads throughout your body thereby creating a soothing effect, which calms down pains and spasms. It is for this reason warm water is one of the best-known home remedies for relief from body pain.
12. Promotes Healthy Skin
Worried about those early wrinkles? Want glowing young skin?
Ask any skin specialist, what is the most effective way to fight the problem of dry skin naturally and the answer would be âdrink more waterâ.
Your skin canât remain hydrated if your body is dehydrated. Drinking hot water improves your blood circulation, which protects your skin from becoming dry and dull.
The free radicals that accumulate in our skin are the primary causes of aging, and you can get rid of them by drinking warm water.
Hot water can promote healthy skin by improving blood circulation and reducing the signs of aging. When you drink hot water, it can help to improve blood flow to the skin, providing it with essential nutrients and oxygen. Additionally, the warmth of the water can help to reduce the signs of aging by improving skin elasticity.
Also, as you have read just now, warm water aids in digestion and detoxifies the body, which in turn prevents acne and breakouts on the skin (10).
13. Relieves Headache
Drinking hot water can help to relieve headaches by reducing tension and promoting relaxation. The warmth of the water can help to relax the muscles and ease tension, which can help to alleviate headaches.
14. Improves Overall Hydration
Drinking hot water can help to keep the body hydrated, which is essential for overall health and well-being. When you drink hot water, it can help to flush out toxins, promote digestion, and improve circulation, all of which are essential for maintaining good health.
Benefits of Drinking Warm Water with Honey
If you go to the gym every morning with the hope of losing weight, then make it worth your effort. Start drinking warm water with honey before you start your exercises.
- Honey with warm water not only helps you in warming up by regulating the body temperature but also helps in burning excess fat.
- Moreover, it boosts immunity and prevents the tearing of muscles during workouts (11).
- Honey is a natural sweetener, the perfect combination of honey and water helps you cut down on your sugar intake.
Benefits of Drinking Warm Water with Lemon
You will find that fitness gurus always recommend drinking warm water with lemon and honey.
There are several reasons for that, like â
- Lemon juice is rich in Vitamin C which is an essential ingredient for boosting the immunity of the body (11).
- Lemon juice also acts as an antibacterial agent that prevents infections.
- Besides, drinking warm water with lemon helps in detoxifying your body.
- Moreover, lemon helps to maintain the pH balance (acidity levels) of the skin, thereby keeping it healthy.
Disadvantages of Drinking Hot Water
While drinking hot water is generally considered safe for most people, there can be some potential risks to be aware of, including:
- Possibility of Burns: The biggest disadvantage of drinking hot water is the risk of burns. Drinking excessively hot water may burn the tongue or throat. That is why it is very important to first ensure that the water you are drinking can be consumed comfortably. Always take a small sip to check the temperature before deciding to take that gulp. You should avoid drinking water that is near boiling temperature.
- Extra Cost and Effort: If you are not using any hot water dispenser or a water purifier that directly dispenses hot water then drinking warm water would require that extra effort to warm drinking water. This may also lead to an increase in your gas bills (if you boil on a gas stove) or electricity bills (if you use an electric kettle, hot water dispenser, or a water purifier that dispenses hot water).
- Change of Habits: People who are used to drinking cold water may find it difficult to switch over to drinking warm water, especially in a country like ours where summers dominate most of the year.
- Taste is Not as Good: Most people feel that warm water does not taste as good as cold water or water at normal room temperature.
Overall, drinking hot water in moderation is unlikely to cause any serious side effects. However, if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns, it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor before making any significant changes to your diet.
Ideal Temperature for Drinking Hot Water
It is not necessary to drink boiling hot water to gain the benefits of hot water.
Lukewarm water to water at a temperature between 48°C and 60°C is the ideal temperature for drinking warm water. The water should never be too hot that it may burn your tongue or throat, or scald your taste buds. Hot water that is above a temperature of 70°C should be avoided as it can result in burns.
If you do not like drinking hot water then you should consider drinking water at or slightly above body temperature i.e. 37°C.
Conclusion
Drinking hot water is a simple and easy practice that can have numerous benefits for your health.
It can improve digestion, aid in weight loss, boost the immune system, detoxify the body, and much more.
Incorporating hot water into your daily routine can be a great way to improve your overall health and well-being.
However, it is important to consult your doctor before making any significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.
So, go ahead and start enjoying a warm cup of water today!
References
- “Effect of meal temperature on gastric emptying…” Gut, US National Library of Medicine.
- “Yes, you can lose weight by drinking warm water…” HealthShots.
- “Warm Water – A Natural Immune Booster” Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.
- “Troubled by constipation? Itâs time to try out…” HealthShots.
- “Effects of drinking hot water, cold water, and⊔ US National Library of Medicine.
- “The effects of a hot drink on nasal airflow⊔ US National Library of Medicine.
- “Does drinking water help improve circulation?” A.Vogel UK.
- “How Does Drinking Warm Water Help During Periods” eMediHealth.
- “Heat Therapy Helps Relax Stiff Joints” Arthritis Foundation.
- “This Will Happen To Your Skin If You Drink Warm Water Daily” TheHealthSite.com.
- “Health Benefits of Honey Lemon Water” WebMD.
Please let me know how to remove chlorine smell from tap water in easy way.
Keeping a steel vessel with water in sun and drinking that water is safe
We have written a detailed post on how to remove chlorine from water. Kindly go through the link. Please reply to the same thread if you have any further queries.
Very good and informative article. The suggestions made in the article are worthy of implementing in daily life and should prove beneficial. Thanks.
This blog is very beneficial for healthy lives. I liked the most some points like “Helps in weight loss”, “Improve digestion” because I experienced these things. After reading this blog I got a lot of healthy tips from this. so thanks for sharing this.