Is cold or warm water better for drinking?

Have you ever wondered if cold or room temperature water is better for you? Turns out, it depends. There are health benefits to drinking both. 

Research tells us that water affects the body differently, even more so when you introduce cold, warm and room temperature water. While most of us have some idea of how much water we should be drinking each day, whether or not it should be cold or warm is still a common question.

According to a recent article published by the Mayo Clinic, the Institute of Medicine states an adequate intake (AI) for men is roughly about 3 liters of total beverages a day. The AI for women is about 2.2 liters of total beverages a day. To reap the maximum hydration benefits of water, take these factors into consideration before you fill up next:

Post-workout cool down.

After a long hard workout, drinking ice-cold water is your best bet. Your body temperature is typically high and room temperature water won’t lower your body temperature as quickly as cold water. So, throw some ice in your hydration pack or water bottle and enjoy.

Weight-loss and water.

Water and its impact on weight loss has long been a discussion topic. Yes, drinking water can help you feel full by alleviating hunger pains. Did you also know drinking cold water burns more calories? While I don’t recommend relying solely on water for your weight loss, colder water can help burn a few extra calories, and water overall helps boost and maintain your metabolism on an ongoing basis. 

In a hurry to hydrate? 

Studies show that warm or room temperature water is easiest for the body to absorb so keep this in mind when you are trying to rehydrate. Where it gets tricky is when someone is overheated. At that point, cold water is the best choice. It’s actually pretty straightforward: if you’re hot drink cold water and if you’re cold drink warm water.

At the end of the day, there will always be differing opinions on drinking water temperatures. Bottom line, drink plenty of water throughout the day to remain properly hydrated and be sure to follow the recommendations of your doctor. Staying well hydrated promotes wellness, including weight loss, organ function, brain function and mood.