Beyond simple comfort, drinking hot water is a common recommendation in traditional Chinese medicine for boosting overall health.
While more research is needed, current studies suggest it may aid digestion and support weight management.
Some practitioners note specific benefits, especially when consumed in the morning or before bed.
Here are some potential benefits of drinking hot water:
- Promotes Hydration: Staying hydrated is essential for overall health, preventing dehydration which can impair brain function, digestion, skin health, and kidney function. Drinking hot water, particularly in colder weather, can be psychologically comforting and encourage greater fluid intake, helping to replenish lost hydration.
- Reduces Shivering in Cold Weather: Hot water can help regulate body temperature and lessen shivering by increasing internal warmth. This can be especially helpful in cold environments, even during exercise, improving comfort and performance, and potentially preventing mild hypothermia.
- Improves Circulation: Heat from external sources like saunas is known to improve circulation. Drinking hot water may offer a similar benefit by enhancing blood flow, although more research is needed to confirm its long-term effects on circulation.
- Relieves Pain and Improves Blood Flow: Warm drinks can relax muscles, improve blood circulation, and reduce discomfort. Heat therapy is often used to ease muscle pain and enhance circulation, and drinking hot water may provide similar advantages, potentially helping to alleviate pain, though more research is necessary.
- Supports Weight Loss: Proper hydration is important for metabolism, and hot water might offer an extra benefit by raising body temperature and metabolic rate. Studies suggest that drinking hot water before a meal can boost metabolism for up to 40 minutes. Increased water intake can also aid in burning more calories, supporting weight management efforts.
- Aids Digestion: Adequate water intake is crucial for digestive health, helping food move through the body and maintaining gut balance. Warm water can relax the muscles in the digestive system, facilitating digestion. Some studies indicate that drinking hot water before meals can improve digestive function.
- May Relieve Constipation: Insufficient fluid intake is a common cause of constipation. Drinking hot water can encourage regular bowel movements, with some research showing that water at body temperature positively impacts gastrointestinal function.
- Eases Nasal Congestion: Hot drinks, like tea or hot water, can help relieve nasal congestion by thinning mucus and clearing the sinuses. Research suggests that hot beverages are more effective than room-temperature drinks in alleviating cold symptoms such as sore throats or runny noses.
- Enhances Central Nervous System Function: Staying hydrated supports brain function, while dehydration can negatively affect cognitive abilities and mood. Studies suggest that drinking enough water helps maintain brain activity and reduces anxiety, particularly during stressful tasks.
- Reduces Stress: Hydration supports the central nervous system and improves mood. Research indicates that dehydration can decrease feelings of calm and well-being. Drinking hot beverages, specifically, has been linked to reduced stress and anxiety levels.
- Supports Detoxification: Some proponents of detox diets believe that hot water helps the body eliminate toxins by raising internal temperature and promoting sweating. Increased water intake in general supports kidney function by diluting waste in the bloodstream and aiding in toxin removal, while also helping reduce inflammation and lubricate joints.
- Relieves Achalasia Symptoms: Individuals with achalasia, a condition affecting swallowing, may find relief by consuming warm liquids. Studies show that hot drinks can ease symptoms and make swallowing easier compared to cold beverages, improving comfort for those with this condition.
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