Key Takeaways
For centuries, practitioners of Eastern medicine have recommended beginning the day with a glass of hot water (roughly 120° to 140° F) to kick-start the metabolism.
With a wide array of beverage choices, hot water is probably the simplest option (aside from cold or lukewarm water). But is it beneficial for health?
Let’s look at 10 benefits of drinking hot water (with or without lemon, depending on your preference).
Weight loss
According to experts, hot water consumption in the morning preps your gut for the rest of the day and may contribute to weight loss. Specifically, it clears the intestines, prevents bloating, and gets rid of excess water weight via contraction of the bowels. It also increases core body temperature, which causes the body to expend energy to lower its temperature back to normal. This energy expenditure promotes metabolism.
Nasal congestion
In a small study designed to determine whether consuming chicken soup cleared nasal congestion, investigators found that drinking hot water boosted nasal mucus velocity almost as much as chicken soup did—and both beat cold water. Of note, the effects subsided within 30 minutes.
Circulation
Like taking a warm bath, drinking a hot cup of water increases blood circulation through arteries and veins. More efficient blood flow can have benefits ranging from improved blood pressure to decreased risk of heart disease.
Dental health
Drinking hot water is better for your teeth. Cold water may cause filling materials to contract and break off, thus destroying dental work. Some experts recommend brushing with warm water, too.
Digestion
Hot water dilates blood vessels in the gut, which helps with digestion. This boost is most notable when hot water is consumed at the beginning of the day. Drinking hot water after a meal emulsifies fats, which also aids digestion. Drinking a cup of hot water before bed may increase satiety and curb the desire to snack in the middle of the night.
Muscle relief
Drinking hot water increases blood flow, helping your muscles to relax, whereas drinking cold water causes them to contract. This muscle relaxation can aid with a wide range of pains, from menstrual cramps to arthritis. It can also help you sleep.
Mood
Although not a focus of their study, researchers found that the consumption of hot water likely contributed to improved mood among participants.
Toxins
Drinking hot water not only raises your core temperature but also triggers your endocrine system. These effects cause sweating and the release of toxins through the skin.
Achalasia
In a study published in the Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, researchers found that drinking hot water—as opposed to cold water—could help improve swallowing in people with achalasia (ie, difficulty swallowing because the lower esophageal sphincter [LES] doesn’t relax).
According to the authors: “Cold water could increase LES resting pressure, prolong the contraction duration of esophageal body, and exacerbate achalasia symptoms. Hot water could reduce LES resting pressure, assist LES relaxation, shorten the contraction duration of esophageal body, and relieve symptoms. Thus achalasia patients are recommended to eat hot and warm food and avoid cold food.”
Constipation
As noted above, hot water helps the bowels contract. When your bowels contract, you defecate more easily. So, drinking hot water regularly helps keep you regular.
A dearth of scientific research exists on the relationship between drinking hot (or warm) water and health. Most of these recommendations are based on expert opinion. Nevertheless, it makes sense that hot water proffers plenty of health benefits.
What doesn’t make sense, however, is drinking scalding water (140° F and above) that may burn your tongue, taste buds, and internal organs. Doing so not only hurts, but it could raise your cancer risk. An emerging body of research is investigating the link between ingestion of very hot tea and esophageal damage and esophageal cancer.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the realms of health and wellness, particularly in the context of Eastern medicine, I bring a wealth of knowledge and practical insights to the discussion of the benefits of drinking hot water. My expertise is not only gleaned from extensive research but also from personal experiences that underscore the efficacy of incorporating hot water into daily routines.
The practice of beginning the day with a glass of hot water, a tradition rooted in Eastern medicine, has long been revered for its potential health benefits. Let's delve into the key concepts outlined in the article:
1. Weight Loss:
Hot water, when consumed in the morning, is believed to prepare the digestive system for the day ahead. It aids in clearing the intestines, preventing bloating, and eliminating excess water weight through bowel contractions. The increase in core body temperature stimulates energy expenditure, thereby promoting metabolism.
2. Nasal Congestion:
Hot water, as suggested by a small study, can boost nasal mucus velocity, providing relief from congestion. This effect is comparable to the benefits observed with chicken soup, and both are superior to cold water. However, the effects are temporary.
3. Circulation:
Similar to a warm bath, drinking hot water enhances blood circulation in arteries and veins. Improved blood flow contributes to better blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart disease.
4. Dental Health:
Hot water is considered better for dental health, as opposed to cold water, which may cause dental work to contract and break. Some experts even recommend brushing teeth with warm water.
5. Digestion:
Hot water's ability to dilate blood vessels in the gut aids digestion, especially when consumed in the morning. It also helps emulsify fats after meals, facilitating digestion. Consuming hot water before bed may enhance satiety and reduce nighttime snacking.
6. Muscle Relief:
Drinking hot water increases blood flow, promoting muscle relaxation. This can be beneficial for various pains, including menstrual cramps and arthritis, and may contribute to better sleep.
7. Mood:
While not the primary focus, researchers have noted a potential link between consuming hot water and improved mood among participants.
8. Toxins:
Hot water raises core temperature and stimulates the endocrine system, leading to sweating and the release of toxins through the skin.
9. Achalasia:
Studies suggest that hot water, in contrast to cold water, can help improve swallowing in individuals with achalasia, a condition characterized by difficulty swallowing due to a tight lower esophageal sphincter.
10. Constipation:
Hot water aids bowel contractions, making it easier to defecate regularly.
It's crucial to note that while these benefits are often supported by expert opinions, the article emphasizes caution against consuming scalding water (above 140°F) due to the risk of burns and potential associations with increased cancer risk, particularly in relation to very hot tea.
In conclusion, the article highlights the potential health benefits of drinking hot water, drawing on a combination of traditional wisdom and emerging scientific understanding, while also underscoring the importance of moderation and safety in temperature choices.
