Most people can't live without cold water. I, for one, prefer it cold to warm.
There's just something so refreshing about it.
When you've done a long walk outside or a grueling workout, nothing quite seems to quench your thirst like an ice-cold glass of water.
It immediately chills you out. It's like a quick reboot for your body.
For most people, it's second nature to opt for cold over room-temperature water.
But, surprise! Not everyone loves it as much.
In fact, there are people who completely avoid cold water.
Some cultures are convinced that it will put the body off kilter or get you ill.
Even now, you can still spot warm or room-temperature water being consumed as the norm at meals, rather than cold water, in some communities.
So, it makes us wonder: Is it really bad to drink cold water, or is it merely a personal preference and tradition? Or does it have to do with the health aspect?
Some studies suggest cold water can cause stomach upset. Or it does something bad to your immune system, which makes it more difficult to bounce back when you fall ill.
Others find that they experience an irritated throat. Or a very bad cold.
But, are they true, though? Many people get through life consuming nothing but cold water without encountering even one of these issues.
That's what makes the topic interesting.
In this article, we will examine the potential negative effects of consuming cold water. From a scientific point of view, cultural beliefs and the actual experiences people have.
Cold Water vs. Room Temperature Water
Let's talk about hydration. Generally, it does not matter whether the water is cold, hot, or warm. All that matters is that you hydrate yourself with clean, safe drinking water.
We just pick up whatever is nearest.
However, both cultural tradition and medical science suggest that the temperature of the water used may impact the body's reaction.
Cold water can come off like an electric shock. It quickly lowers body temperature, which is why it is the favorite choice on a hot day or after a sweat-provoking workout session.
However, that same cold, refreshing quality is what, some experts claim, is a "shock" to the system. Cold water affects the blood vessels. It makes them contract a lot.
Well, it is not necessarily a negative thing, but in some situations, it can cause the body to work harder just to maintain its core temperature.
There is even a phenomenon called thermogenesis, where the process of drinking cold water causes the body to expend excess energy to warm itself up.
Some people view that as a plus for losing weight, but others get a bit jittery because of it.
Conversely, drinking water at room temperature or even hot is less harmful.
The body doesn't have to compensate as much, and a few people report that it actually makes them feel more in balance (yes, for some reason), particularly when eating heavy meals.
Indeed, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda both suggest using warm or hot water, rather than ice water. It has something to do with how warm liquids ease digestion and cold damages function.
Of course, the larger picture is drinking. Being hydrated with an adequate amount of water is more important than being afraid of the ideal temperature every time.
However, based on your individual preferences, health conditions, or even your location and climate, the amount can vary significantly. Whether you prefer a warm or cold water option really just depends on what makes you comfortable and how your body responds to it.
Can Cold Water Cause Digestive Issues?
One of the most frequent complaints people have about consuming cold water is its impact on digestion. This is a huge part of their argument, in fact.
• Disrupts Digestive Process
Cold water slows down the digestive process by constricting the blood vessels around the stomach.
When the region of the body is subjected to less blood flow, the digestive process is slower.
Others even believe that cold drinks can freeze fats in food, making it more difficult for the digestive system to break down.
Although the study is still ongoing in clinics and experiments, most people observe that they become gassy or sluggish after drinking ice-cold water with a heavy meal.
• Impacts Enzymes, Too
Another aspect is how cold water impacts enzymes.
Enzymes are crucial to break down food into nutrients that the body can use.
When the digestive system is significantly reduced in temperature, enzyme activity won't operate at its optimal temperature.
This isn't always going to cause a significant rise in issues for those in good health, but it does cause sensitive people to suffer. You know, people with existing health conditions.
For example, people with gastrointestinal conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome or achalasia can experience serious symptoms or choking due to cold water.
And this isn't just hearsay. Experimental medicine has reported instances where cold stress in the gastrointestinal tract worsens such conditions.
Ultimately, it's all about staying hydrated.
However, if you've ever been curious about why you don't feel right after drinking ice water with a meal, chances are your digestive system is telling you that cold water is not its best companion at the moment. Sometimes, it's just as simple as that.
How About a Respiratory or Throat Problem?
Another area where cold water gets a bad reputation is the throat and respiratory system.
Drinking ice water or other cold drinks can sometimes irritate the throat, leading to soreness or even worsening congestion. Some people actually complain about these.
This happens because cold water can thicken nasal mucus, triggering the body’s response to produce more. So, if you have a cold (or perhaps experience allergic reactions), this extra mucus can make breathing feel more difficult.
Even asthmatic and sinus patients complain less regarding cold water sensitivity compared to warm water.
The abrupt cold shock of temperature in the body, particularly in the region of the throat, becomes a little constricted, and it feels uncomfortable.
But, obviously, that's not true for all. Yes, you can drink cold water without any discomfort in your throat at all.
However, if you consistently experience sore throats or already have a runny nose, drinking cold water will exacerbate your condition, and you may require additional days to recover.
That is why people always recommend warm or hot water whenever one is ill. It calms and does not irritate, and hydrates well without adding to the burden.
While there continue to be scientific arguments on whether the effect even exists, the aggregation of millions of experiences confirms a real trend: cold water isn't necessarily ideal when your immune system is already weakened.
So the next time you find yourself grabbing cold drinks when you are chilly, go ahead and replace that glass of ice water with a glass of hot drink instead. Your sinuses and your throat will likely thank you.
There are Headaches and Migraines
We've all experienced the sudden "brain freeze" that occurs when we gulp down ice-cold water too quickly.
It is that sudden, piercing headache for no reason at all. You know what I mean.
What actually happens is the quick cooling of blood vessels in the mouth and throat, which in turn causes constriction and a quick nervous response.
The body responds by sending out pain signals. That's why we get an instant headache for seconds.
For people in good physical health, that pain is temporary and lasts a few seconds.
However, for those who experience migraines, cold water has a significantly greater impact.
Medical science has even indicated that cold beverages can serve as a trigger for migraines in people who are prone to them.
This is confirmed by anecdotal evidence.
In the majority of people who always have issues with headaches, there has been a trend observed: whenever they consume extremely cold beverages, they either develop a headache straight away or it triggers a long migraine attack.
It doesn't mean that having cold water is bad for everyone. Of course, that's not it.
The primary concern is that water temperature can impact individuals with specific medical conditions. So, we should be careful.
Circulation and Body Temperature
Drinking ice water doesn't stop at digestion and headaches.
It even affects circulation and body temperature.
When you drink ice water, the cold causes your core body temperature to drop temporarily. The body responds by constricting the blood vessels to maintain body temperature.
Although this is normally safe in healthy individuals, it may be uncomfortable if you already suffer from poor circulation or tend to get cold easily.
Competitive athletes are also aware of this.
When competing, they avoid consuming ice-cold water even when they really want to quench their thirst after long hours of training.
That diminution in core body temperature will negate the body's response to maximum effort.
In fact, medical science confirms that cold stress to the body makes it harder to maintain peak performance.
Warm or room-temperature water is sometimes used, as it maintains hydration levels without being excessively cold for the digestive tract and muscles.
Cold drinks can raise blood pressure in individuals with certain conditions. Like those individuals with a predisposition to elevated blood pressure or temperature sensitivity.
The nervous system of the body responds to cold temperature shock and raises blood pressure as a response.
People with Specific Health Conditions
We've already been over this. But let me say it again.
While cold water is generally safe for most people to ingest without incident, certain groups need to exercise more caution.
The dangers of consuming cold water become evident when considering how it interacts with existing diseases.
For example, IBS or GERD is bad enough as it is.
Mixing cold water into the equation only makes it worse.
Cold water slows down digestion and exacerbates the pain in the digestive system.
Clinical and experimental medicine have also shown that cold stress can exacerbate achalasia symptoms and make swallowing even more difficult.
To someone who is already having issues with their digestive system, this extra dose of stress is just too much.
And then there is tooth sensitivity.
Anyone who has felt that flash of pain when drinking ice water knows about the burning sensitivity that comes with it.
Cold drinks can stimulate sensitive teeth nerves, making it less pleasurable and more work to drink cold beverages. Warm or hot water is much less so.
Another group is patients convalescing from illness.
When the immune system is already compromised, warm or hot water is generally best, as it provides comfort to the throat and enables proper hydration without subjecting the body to the stress of cold temperatures.
In such cases, ice water can exacerbate symptoms like congestion or require the body to work extra hard to feel comfortable.
These include vulnerable individuals such as infants, elderly individuals, and those with impaired immunity.
The bodies of these individuals may not be able to regulate core body temperature or blood flow, and as a result, the cold water is more painful for them.
In certain cases, even modest reductions in body temperature by cold water will place excessive stress.
However, this is not to imply that cold water is bad for everyone. Hydration will always be the bigger issue, and the health benefits of drinking healthy water are undeniable.
Being aware of threats to certain health ailments can help you become a more informed decision-maker.
It can improve the lives of you and your loved ones. Far better. It's just a matter of knowing how to hydrate in the most ideal way for your body.
It's not that hard to figure out. If warm water or room temperature water is most comfortable and easily absorbed by your body, then that is a good temperature for you.
How Much Is Too Much?
As with everything else, moderation is key.
Ice water cramps are invigorating and well-suited for rehydration on hot summer days.
The risk is largely in drinking too much cold water or at the wrong times.
For example, drinking cold water after intense exercise puts the body under cold stress, shocking it when it's already warm outside.
Similarly, after eating a large meal, ice water can delay digestion and put undue stress on the stomach.
Cold water can temporarily increase blood pressure or exacerbate conditions in patients with medical conditions such as headaches, achalasia, or hypertension.
Timing is everything.
The body responds to water temperature in different ways at different times and under different conditions.
Equilibrium is knowing when one needs warm water and when it will be more damaging than beneficial.
Final Thoughts
Cold water will always have that "refreshing" appeal.
On a hot day or after intense exercise, it feels like the fastest way to cool down and stay hydrated. It's literally what we crave during these moments.
But as we’ve seen, there are times when it can cause more trouble than comfort.
Considering the disadvantages of drinking cold water, we should exercise greater caution.
The primary areas of concern include digestion, respiratory health, headaches, circulation, and risks associated with specific health conditions.
Digestively, cold water can disrupt digestion and may place an extra burden on the digestive tract.
The majority will experience bloating, cramps, or fullness after consuming ice-cold water with food.
Plus, individuals with IBS, GERD, or other GI disorders can worsen their symptoms.
Cold water can also impact the sinuses and throat, leaving behind excess mucus or causing sore throats.
Body circulation and heat are also taken into account. We've discussed this above.
Sipping ice water will lower the core temperature temporarily. This would be particularly uncomfortable for individuals with weak circulation or blood pressure issues.
In Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, consuming warm or hot water is preferred because it aids digestion and helps maintain the body's energy in equilibrium.
So, yes, sometimes, it's a cultural thing.
But really, here's what we really want to say. A glass of cold water is not THAT bad for you. Drinking it is generally fine for most people.
However, it's on a case-by-case basis. If you're a healthy person without distinct preferences or existing health conditions, you should be fine.
At the end of the day, good hydration remains the most important factor, regardless of whether the weather is hot or cold. Or somewhere in between.