Drink ice water or hot water?

        Some people believe that drinking cold water is a bad habit that can actually harm your long-term health. This belief is based on the idea that drinking cold water contracts your stomach, making it harder to digest food after a meal. Some people also believe that your body has to work harder to maintain its internal temperature of 98.6°F (37°C) if you’re drinking water that’s near the temperature of ice, or less than 36°F (4°C).

Chinese people love to drink hot water and have a long history. "Mencius" contains: "Drinking soup in the winter", then called boiling water for soup. "Tang" is hot water or boiling water. How is this habit developed? It is likely to be related to tea. China is the original place of tea. In the Book of Songs, there is a record of "tea (tea)". In the Han Dynasty, more "cooking tea" is seen in the classics. It can be seen that tea must be cooked and boiled. This habit is formed at least not later than Han Dynasty.

In Chinese medicine theory, boiling water is a good drug.

People who have been to the West have had similar experiences, and find many places without hot water to drink, which makes it a headache for Chinese people, especially women, who are used to drinking hot water since childhood.

Why don't Westerners drink hot water? In fact, this problem has a long history, not only for historical reasons but also closely related to eating habits, living habits and so on.

Benefits of drinking Warm Water

       Improves digestion – According to Ayurveda and ancient Chinese medicine, you should drink a glass of warm water early in the morning. This is because it activates your digestive system, which helps avoid indigestion. It also helps stimulate blood flow to the intestine and helps prevent constipation.

Detoxifies your body – Did you know that warm water helps your body get rid of harmful toxins? It not only reduces pitta in your body but also prevents acne and other skin problems. To further enhance its effect, squeeze half a slice of lemon in the water and drink it every day.

Relieves nasal congestion – Not many people are aware of the fact that warm water is good for people suffering from nasal and throat congestion. It acts as a natural expectorant by aiding in the expulsion of phlegm from the respiratory tract.

Combats pain – As warm water increases blood flow to the tissues, it can act as an excellent natural aid to provide relief from pain. Hence, if you are experiencing frequent joint pain or menstrual cramps, start drinking warm water.

Benefits of drinking Cold Water

Excellent post-workout drink – It is a known fact that during exercises, your body temperature increases. To lower your body temperature post workout, it is recommended to drink cold water. Read about the best foods to eat before and after the workout.

Combats heat stroke – drinking cold water during summers is good for your health. Cold water gets absorbed quickly by the body as compared to warm or hot water. When you are back home from the scorching heat or if you experience a heat stroke, drink a glass of cold water.

Aids in weight loss – The key principle behind losing weight is to boost your metabolism that in turn burns more calories. According to Dr. Neha, drinking cold water and even cold water baths boosts your metabolism.

When cold water serves you better?

Exercise: Physical activity elevates core body temperature. Moreover, we lose a lot of water and electrolytes in the process which needs to be replenished. Sip cold water to rehydrate the body off lost water and enable it cool down.

Weight Loss: When you are trying to shed the pounds, drink cold water instead of warm water. It boosts metabolism and helps torch calories to aid weight loss. Cold water is not an obesity cure although it does contribute to your weight loss efforts.

When should warm/hot water be considered?

Digestion: If you have digestion troubles too often, drinking warm/hot water can be of great benefit. According to Ayurveda, drinking warm water in the morning helps stimulate digestion.

Detox: Drinking warm water is one of the things that can help you get rid of impurities in the body. Health experts recommend drinking warm water with a squeeze of lemon. Lemon water stimulates digestion and flushes toxins. When you drink warm water, you are not only staying hydrated but also receiving its cleansing benefits.

Pain Relief: If you are dealing with a headache or inflammation, drinking warm water can ease the pain. It stimulates blood flow to the tissues and is an excellent remedy for menstrual cramps.

Constipation: One of the foremost reasons behind constipation is dehydration. Drinking warm water when constipated can move things smooth by stimulating blood flow and having a soothing effect in the intestines.

Be it cold or warm water, you should stay hydrated and listen to your body. Listen to what your body is trying to tell you. When you’re out in the hot weather, you’ll crave for cold water. Likewise, when sick with a cold, you’ll want hot water.