Water is essential for overall health, and drinking it warm or hot may provide extra benefits such as improved digestion, increased circulation, and stress reduction.
While scientific studies on the benefits of drinking hot water is sparse, advocates of alternative health argue that it can improve health.
This article covers some potential benefits and the theories underlying them.
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Drinking water at any temperature promotes overall well-being, but hot water is thought to provide additional health benefits.
People have enjoyed hot beverages for millennia, and while folk medicine frequently emphasises the health benefits of hot water, scientific research into these claims is relatively new.
Here are eight possible advantages of drinking hot water.
1. Improved digestion
Drinking hot water can help break down meals more effectively than cold or warm water, thus lowering the risk of constipation and promoting regular bowel movements.
Dehydration frequently causes constipation, which can cause pain and other problems such as haemorrhoids and bloating.
2. Body detoxification
Natural health advocates suggest that hot water might aid with detoxification.
When hot water elevates the body temperature, it causes perspiration, which helps to eliminate impurities and cleanse the pores.
3. Enhanced Circulation
Hot water dilates blood vessels, which improves circulation.
This can help muscles relax and relieve pain.
Although there are no direct studies tying hot water drinking to long-term circulation improvements, increased circulation can help improve blood flow to muscles and organs.
4. Weight Loss
Drinking more water has been shown to aid with weight loss by raising feelings of fullness, improving nutritional absorption, and flushing away waste.
A 2003 study discovered that consuming 500 ml of water before a meal enhanced metabolism by 30%, with hot water leading to a 40% rise in metabolism lasting 30-40 minutes.
5. Pain Relief
Hot water enhances circulation and blood flow, which may help with pain alleviation, particularly for injured muscles.
While empirical research on the effects of hot water on pain is limited, heat packs and hot water bottles are frequently used to relieve pain, while heat can occasionally aggravate swelling.
6. Treating Colds and Improving Sinus Health
Heat helps alleviate sinus pressure caused by colds and allergies, while steam can assist clear sinuses.
Drinking hot water may assist to move mucus more effectively, making coughing and nose blowing more productive.
7. Promoting Coffee and Tea Consumption
Hot water blended with coffee or tea could provide additional health benefits.
While coffee and caffeinated drinks might dehydrate you, they can provide health benefits when drunk in moderation.
According to research, coffee drinking leads to a longer life and lower risk of numerous diseases, whereas tea may reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and liver disease.
8. Stress Reduction
A cup of hot water might help relieve stress and anxiety.
Some studies suggest that hot beverages, such as tea and coffee, might reduce stress and increase mood, thanks to their warmth and, in some circumstances, caffeine.
