Disadvantages Of Drinking Cold Water

It is almost reflexive for some people to drink a glass of cold water after coming home from a long day. But drinking water is healthy, isn’t it? Yes, it is but not cold and chilled water.

As tempting as it sounds, chilled water is not beneficial for your health. It affects your body on several levels. It leads to illnesses like the common cold, cough, and other health issues.

But its drawbacks go on several layers. Let us look at the disadvantages of drinking cold water.

 

Disadvantages of Drinking Cold Water

Not only science, but even Ayurveda has reasons to avoids drinking cold water. According to Ayurveda, we must always maintain the internal temperature of our bodies, i.e., 98-degree Celcius. It is best to drink water or consume food in this temperature range to absorb maximum nutrients.

When you drink water at a lower or a higher temperature than your body temperature, your body requires more energy to absorb nutrients. Besides that, it leads to the following disadvantages:

Sore Throat

Let us start with the most obvious drawback of drinking cold water- sore throat. This is more prevalent with children and older adults.

When you drink cold water, it leads to the formation of respiratory mucosa in excess. This leads to the respiratory tract getting conjected, opening up the possibilities of more infections, especially sore throat.

This could be followed by cough, cold, and even fever.

 

Digestive Issues

If you consume cold water and experience some digestive issues, do not take it as a mere coincidence. Both the instances are related to each other.

When you drink cold water or any other cold beverage, for that matter, your blood vessels contract. This hinders your digestive system.

As mentioned earlier, your body uses more energy to consume food or liquids that are either lower or more than the body’s normal temperature. It requires this extra energy to control your body’s temperature.

So, there is not enough energy left for the proper digestion and absorption of nutrients. All of this leads to a hindrance to the digestive system.

 

Affects Heart Rate

Did you know that drinking cold water could reduce your heart rate? When you consume chilled water or any cold beverage, the cranial nerve gets stimulated. This reduces your heart rate.

If your heart rate drops to an extreme extent, you might experience fainting, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, etc.

 

Worsens Headaches

Brain freeze or ice cream headache is a common phenomenon that happens after consuming something cold. The same effect takes place when you drink chilled water.

This is more prevalent in women, especially the ones with a history of migraines. When you drink cold water, the sensitive nerves in the spine sends a message to your brain, leading to a severe headache. Scientifically, it will be felt in the mid-frontal lobe, then the occipital and the bi-temporal lobes of the brain.

 

Hinders Weight Loss

If you are trying to lose weight, it is best to stay away from cold water. Drinking cold water can make it difficult for your body to break down fat contents. This makes it challenging for your digestive system to digest it, leaving it as fat in the body. This leads to more weight gain.

 

Constipation

Drinking cold water can solidify the food contents. They get hardened up while passing through the body. In addition to that, it also contracts the intestines, making you constipated.

 

Might Make you Dehydrated

Even though no major studies have proven this, it is said that drinking cold water can make you feel dehydrated as compared to drinking warm water. Even Ayurveda backs this claim.

 

Stomach Pain During Pregnancy

Pregnant women should neither drink too hot or too cold water as it could lead to more stomach pain. Moreover, it is said to alleviate morning sickness.

 

Back Pain

A person with a history of back pain should not drink cold water. It might lead to a cold-induced spasm of esophageal muscle.

 

Best Temperature for Drinking Water

As drinking cold water is out of the question, what is the ideal temperature of the water?

According to experts, it is best to drink water at room temperature (20°C / 68°F).

Room temperature water does not hinder the digestive process and kickstarts digesting right after the meal. Moreover, it will not lead to constipation or sore throat.

 

Conclusion:

Drinking water is beneficial to our health. But drinking the right temperature of the water is even more advantageous.

Always opt for lukewarm water on a daily basis. But it is okay to take a sip of chilled water every now and then to refresh yourself.