Water At Room Temperature Is Easier To Digest And Promotes Gut Mobility
Optimal drinking water temperature is known to maintain homeostasis in your gut. Warm water becomes easier to digest for your stomach because it is close to the temperature of your internal organs. However, even drinking water at room temperature is equally beneficial as it does not interrupt the body’s optimal state, nor does it interfere in the process of food absorption.
But that’s not all. The fact has been studied on patients who had undergone abdominal surgery, among other conditions such as functional dyspepsia that result in slower gut movement. Hot meals for such patients have proven beneficial in accelerating bowel movement and gastric emptying. For example, gut mobility, or the passing of food efficiently from your gut, is also assisted when you drink warm water over cold.
Warm/Room Temperature Water Boosts Metabolism And Helps In Weight Loss
Based on a study on normal-weighted participants, seven men and seven women, those who drank 16 ounces of room temperature water had a whopping 30% increase in their metabolic rates in just ten minutes. In comparison, the peak of energy production reached within 30-40 minutes after drinking.
While for women, carbohydrates were the primary energy source, in men, it was lipids that fueled the metabolic rates. Since the study suggests that drinking warm or room temperature water mobilizes fat or carbs, anyone who wants to lose a few pounds must fill themselves with a tall glass of water right away, boosting your metabolism.
Is Cold Water Bad?
No, drinking cold water is not bad. There are times one craves cold liquid to quench thirst, and it is perfectly alright. There are even certain benefits of cold or room temperature water. While it certainly helps to drink room temperature or warm water whenever possible, it does not mean you have to stop drinking cold water.
A study suggests that cold water leaves the body faster than warm water, making rehydration faster. It also helps the body get to average temperatures much quicker after an intense workout session to avoid overheating.
Coldwater VS. Hot Water
You do not need to struggle to understand when to drink warm or cold water, as drinking more water is the first and foremost thing to do despite the temperature. However, if you are willing to take a step forward, begin by drinking room temperature or hot water with and around the meals to ease digestion and metabolism, not to mention the morning cup of warm lemon water. As for the cold water, try having a mug full right after your workout session to see how you feel after.
Conclusion
While the above items are just a few prime reasons to switch to warm or room temperature water daily, there are several other benefits. From treating cold and flu symptoms to aiding nasal congestion, there is an endless list to it.
However, you do not need to bring it into the habit at once and avoid cold water when thirsty or even when it is a hot day outside. Instead, your prime focus must be to stay hydrated, irrespective of the temperature of the water.