Many people find drinking plain hot water or hot lemon water soothing and beneficial. Hot water can help you stay hydrated, and it may also help ease congestion, improve digestion, relieve stress, and help you feel warmer.
Drinking water, hot or cold, keeps your body healthy and hydrated.
Some people claim that hot water specifically can help improve digestion, relieve congestion, and even promote relaxation, compared with drinking cold water.
Most health benefits of hot water are based on anecdotal reports, as there’s little scientific research in this area. That said, many people feel benefits from this remedy, especially first thing in the morning or right before bed.
When drinking hot beverages,
For an extra health boost and some vitamin C, try adding a twist of lemon to hot water to make lemon water.
This article looks at 10 ways that drinking hot water may benefit you.
A cup of hot water creates steam. Holding a cup of hot water and taking a deep inhale of this gentle vapor may help loosen clogged sinuses and even relieve a sinus headache.
Since you have mucous membranes throughout your sinuses and throat, drinking hot water may help warm that area and soothe a sore throat caused by mucus buildup.
According to an older
Drinking water helps to keep the digestive system moving. As the water moves through your stomach and intestines, the body is better able to eliminate waste.
Some believe that drinking hot water is especially effective for activating the digestive system.
The theory is that hot water can also dissolve and dissipate the food you’ve eaten that your body might have had trouble digesting.
More research is needed to prove this benefit, though a
In the meantime, if you feel like drinking hot water helps aid your digestion, there is no harm in using this as a remedy.
Not getting enough water, hot or cold, can have negative effects on your nervous system functioning, ultimately affecting mood and brain function.
This research showed that drinking water boosted participants’ brain activity during demanding activities and also reduced their self-reported anxiety.
Dehydration is a common cause of constipation. In many cases, drinking water is an effective way to relieve and prevent constipation. Staying hydrated helps soften stool and makes it easier to pass.
Drinking hot water regularly may help keep your bowel movements regular.
Although some
The Institute of Medicine
You also need much more water if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, engaging in strenuous activity, or working in a hot environment.
Try starting the day with a serving of hot water and ending it with another. Your body needs water to perform basically every essential function, so the value of that can’t be overstated.
How much water should you drink each day? Read more here.
A
Subjects wore suits circulated with water that was a bit above freezing, then drank water at a variety of temperatures, including up to 126°F (52°C).
Researchers found that drinking the hot water quickly helped the subjects put less work into maintaining their body temperature. That could be handy, the study notes, for people working or exercising in cold conditions.
Healthy blood flow affects everything from your blood pressure to your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Taking a warm bath helps your circulatory organs — your arteries and veins — expand and carry blood more effectively throughout your body.
Drinking hot water may have a similar effect. However, there’s little research that this is effective.
As a bonus, warmth from drinking hot water or bathing at nighttime may help relax you and prepare you for restful sleep.
Since drinking hot water helps improve central nervous system functions, you might end up feeling less anxious if you drink it.
According to a
Staying hydrated may therefore improve your mood and relaxation levels.
While there’s no definitive evidence hot water has a specific benefit in this regard, a
And according to the Arthritis Foundation, drinking water is important for flushing out your body. It can also help fight inflammation, keep the joints well lubricated, and prevent gout.
Achalasia is a condition during which your esophagus has trouble moving food down into your stomach.
People with achalasia have trouble swallowing. They may feel as though foods get stuck in their esophagus instead of moving to the stomach. This is called dysphagia.
Researchers aren’t sure why, but an older
Drinking water that’s too hot can damage the tissue in your esophagus, burn your taste buds, and scald your tongue. Be very careful when drinking hot water. Drinking cool, not hot, water is
Generally, though, drinking hot water has no harmful effects and is safe to use as a remedy.
While there’s little direct research into the benefits of hot versus cold water, drinking hot water is considered safe, and can be a good way to make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day.
Getting into the habit of drinking hot water is easy. Try starting your day with a cup of boiled water, left to cool for a while. If you’re not a tea or coffee drinker, try hot water with lemon.
Add a light session of stretching to your routine, and you’ll feel more energized and better equipped to tackle the day.
If the taste of warm water doesn’t appeal to you, add a twist of citrus — like lemon or lime — to the beverage before you drink it.
Drinking warm water before bed is a great way to wind down after a busy day. Knowing about the health benefits will have you sleeping soundly.
