We’re all about optimizing our lives and daily habits to better our health. And though we can go overboard with some things (we might be reaching protein-maxxing fatigue; watch this space), when it comes to something like our water drinking habits, more is better.
But how should you actually be drinking the most important liquid in our diets? The existential hydration question remains: is drinking hot water better for your body or is cold water?
Which one is actually better for your body?
The good news is that you don’t have to pick team hot water or team cold water. The answer to this is neither; drinking hot water isn’t more hydrating or better than cold water or vice versa. “Both hot and cold water are beneficial to help [you] maintain [daily hydration], which is more important than the temperature itself,” says Lucy Yu, RD, clinical dietician with Keck Medicine of USC. “You can drink both hot and cold water during the day, depending on your preferences or drink choices.”
So in short, it doesn’t matter which temp you choose as long as you’re drinking water to begin with.
When should you drink hot water?
Though it’s dependent on personal preference, there are times when hot water may be more beneficial. Yu says that drinking hot water, which has been having a moment as of late, can help relieve sickness or digestive discomfort. It can also help warm you up when you feel cold. Other benefits that experts have listed include boosting gut health, flushing out toxins, and calming mental stress.
Yu says there is no daily limitation to drinking hot water, as long as you’re comfortable and not feeling overheated. Those who have a sensitive gut should be careful, as it may release gastric juice prematurely and cause more digestive issues, and she says that those with oral sores or mouth blisters should avoid drinking anything hot in general, as it adds to the pain (which is what nobody wants).
When should you drink cold water?
Yu recommends drinking cold water when you want to cool off after a workout or any activity that has warmed you up, or when you want to feel refreshed in a hot environment. Studies have shown that athletes or anyone exercising in heat could feel more focused from the cold stimulus that cold water provides, and it gives you a mild alertness effect.
Same hot water, she says, there is no daily limitation as long as you’re comfortable drinking something cold. She just recommends those with sensitive teeth or a sensitive stomach stay away from cold water, as it might trigger discomfort.
Regardless of whether you choose to drink hot water or cold water, all that matters is that you are drinking fluids throughout the day to stay hydrated. And when in doubt or if you’re paralyzed with the paradox of two choices, stick to room temperature.
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