Water is crucial for overall health, and drinking it warm or hot may offer additional benefits, such as aiding digestion, enhancing circulation, and reducing stress.
While scientific research on the benefits of drinking hot water is limited, proponents of alternative health suggest that it can positively impact health.
This article explores some potential benefits and the theories behind them.
Read Also:Â 14 Health Benefits Of Eating Garlic At Night
Drinking water of any temperature supports well-being, but hot water is believed to offer several extra health benefits.
People have enjoyed hot beverages for millennia, and while folk medicine often highlights the health benefits of hot water, scientific investigation into these claims is relatively recent.
Here are eight potential benefits of drinking hot water:
1. Improved Digestion
Drinking hot water can help break down food more efficiently than cold or warm water, potentially reducing the risk of constipation and supporting regular bowel movements.
Dehydration often leads to constipation, which can cause pain and other issues like hemorrhoids and bloating.
2. Body Detoxification
Advocates of natural health claim that hot water may aid in detoxification.
When hot water raises body temperature, it can induce sweating, which helps expel toxins and cleanse the pores.
3. Enhanced Circulation
Hot water acts as a vasodilator, expanding blood vessels and improving circulation.
This can help muscles relax and reduce pain.
Although direct studies linking hot water consumption to long-term circulation improvements are lacking, enhanced circulation can support better blood flow to muscles and organs.
4. Weight Loss
Drinking more water is known to aid weight loss by increasing feelings of fullness, aiding nutrient absorption, and flushing out waste.
A 2003 study found that drinking 500 ml of water before a meal increased metabolism by 30 percent, with hot water contributing to a 40 percent increase in metabolism that lasted 30-40 minutes.
5. Pain Relief
Hot water improves circulation and may increase blood flow, potentially aiding in pain relief, especially for injured muscles.
While direct research on hot water’s effect on pain is limited, heat packs and hot water bottles are commonly used for pain relief, though heat can also sometimes worsen swelling.
6. Combating Colds and Improving Sinus Health
Heat can relieve sinus pressure caused by colds and allergies, and steam can help unclog sinuses.
Drinking hot water may help move mucus more effectively, making coughing and nose-blowing more productive.
7. Encouraging Coffee and Tea Consumption
Hot water mixed with coffee or tea may offer additional health benefits.
While coffee and caffeinated teas can dehydrate, they also have health benefits when consumed in moderation.
Research links coffee consumption to a longer life and reduced risks of various diseases, while tea may lower risks of stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and liver disease.
8. Stress Reduction
A soothing cup of hot water can help manage stress and anxiety.
Some studies suggest that hot liquids, including tea and coffee, can lower stress and improve mood, partly due to the warmth and, in some cases, caffeine.
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2Z
