4 Key Benefits of Drinking Cold Water

The value of high-quality drinking water can’t be overstated. However, with so many options for the type and temperature of water to consider, it can be difficult to gauge what option you should choose for your workplace. If you’ve been looking for the best water supply to support optimal health and greater productivity, we’re taking a closer look at which is better – cold water or hot water.

What are the benefits of drinking cold water?

While neither chilled water nor warm water poses significant long-term health risks, each temperature offers its own set of advantages. Understanding these health perks and practical benefits of drinking water can assist in selecting the most suitable water supply for your workplace’s needs going forward.

Increased feelings of fullness

Drinking refreshing, ice-cold water has been known to increase feelings of fullness, aid in weight loss, and raise metabolism rates. By helping you feel fuller while improving hydration, you’re more likely to avoid midday soda or consistent snacking — opting for a much healthier and more beneficial alternative. Remember that excessive cold water may not be suitable for everyone’s digestive system, so moderation is key. 

Enhanced energy levels

Choosing cold water options may give you extra energy throughout the day. How? Studies suggest that ice-cold water intake not only mitigates feelings of fatigue but also increases alertness, maximizing your daily energy levels. Embracing the energizing effects of cold water may be just what your employees need to maximize their physical and mental performance. 

Improved brain function

Adequate hydration is essential for optimal brain function, meaning that even when you’re mildly dehydrated, you can experience detrimental health issues. This inevitably hinders your overall efficiency and productivity, negatively altering your concentration, alertness, memory and more. On the other hand, drinking more water can quickly improve your cognitive function and help you maintain optimal health and focus. 

Regulated body temperature

Despite concerns over cold water’s impact on body temperature, water in general is highly effective at regulating your core temperature. This may be especially true during physical activity, in high ambient temperatures or when dealing with a fever. Understanding the ideal water temperature for various situations is essential to keeping your body comfortable and maintaining the right balance. 

What are the possible downsides of drinking cold water?

Is cold water bad for you? Although most people are aware of the proven benefits of proper hydration, there has been speculation that drinking cold water may have long-term negative effects on your health.

Stomach function

Some are concerned that drinking ice water contracts your stomach, making it harder to digest food after a meal. Others are under the assumption that consuming ice water makes it more difficult to maintain your core body temperature. Despite these notions, a report from Healthline finds there isn’t much research to support them. 

Nasal mucus thickness

The same research found that cold water possibly makes nasal mucus thicker and more difficult to pass through the respiratory tract, according to the results of a small study from 1978. While this may be helpful to keep in mind if you’re trying to treat a cold or flu, it isn’t a substantial worry for healthy individuals. 

Dental sensitivity

Teeth sensitivity can occur when the enamel, the outer layer of your teeth, has worn down and exposes the inner layer of your teeth. According to Cleveland Clinic, this inner layer, called dentin, can be more sensitive to both cold and hot temperatures. If drinking cold water becomes painful, it’s time to call the dentist – and avoid water of extreme temperatures until you can be seen.

Headaches

If you’ve ever felt “brain freeze,” you’ve had what’s called a cold-stimulus headache. These headaches occur when an extremely cold substance hits the back of your throat, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Often called “ice cream headaches,” these can be painful and can affect migraine sufferers more than others. 

Overall, it’s important to recognize that ice water doesn’t pose a significant health risk. In fact, the benefits of consuming cold water are generally the same as those from drinking room temperature water — driving hydration and helping you feel refreshed. 

The benefits of drinking hot water

Aids digestion

Staying hydrated supports healthy digestion in general by aiding in waste elimination. Hot water, specifically, is believed to be especially effective in stimulating the digestive system. However, to harness these digestive benefits effectively, it’s important to consume hot water in moderation.

Improves circulation

According to research from Medical News Today, hot water can help support healthier blood flow, expanding blood vessels and improving circulation. Considering blood flow affects everything from blood pressure to the risk of cardiovascular disease, this can be a great way to support your well-being.

May decrease stress levels

A unique benefit that you can potentially enjoy from hot water is the ability to reduce anxiety and boost feelings of calmness — improving your daily mood and relaxation levels. This may be increasingly important to consider, as a report from the American Institute of Stress found that a staggering 55% of Americans are stressed during the day. 

Ultimately, both hot water and cold water options help prevent dehydration, boosting physical performance and driving productivity. Recognizing the unique benefits of each water temperature is key to determining which option is best suited for your unique needs. Plus, there are innovative water solutions to consider that can give you the best of both worlds. 

What are the potential downsides of drinking hot water?

After reading through the potential downsides of cold water, you might be wondering if hot water has any negative impacts to consider.

Burns

If you’re not careful, drinking water that’s too hot can burn your taste buds or even potentially damage the tissue in your esophagus, according to Healthline. However, as long as you’re aware of your water temperature, hot water generally has no harmful or long-term effects on your health. 

Dental sensitivity

The same tooth sensitivity that can be triggered by cold water can also be caused by hot water. Extreme temperatures can be uncomfortable if the inner layer of your teeth is exposed. 

Does temperature impact hydration?

According to Cleveland Clinic, there isn’t a significant difference in hydration between cold and hot water, but some studies have shown that cold water stops sweating faster after exercise. So while the temperature of the water doesn’t necessarily impact the resulting hydration, athletic leaders like Runner’s World recommend reaching for cooler water post-workout.

Comparing cold water vs. hot water

Here’s a head-to-head comparison of the two temperatures so you can easily see the benefits of each and possible downsides:

Answering a few frequently asked questions

Considering many adults don’t drink enough water during the day, according to Harvard Health, you need access to a clean, great-tasting water source that drives your water intake. To find the temperature that’s best suited for your needs, explore some of the most commonly asked questions below:

Is cold water or hot water better for hydration?

Regardless of temperature, drinking warm water or cold water contributes positively to your overall health. This means the best choice for hydration will likely depend on the situation. You might opt for a cold temperature option if you need a refreshing drink to lower your body temperature or boost your metabolism. On the other hand, hot water will be the ideal choice to support digestion and detoxification. Balancing both temperatures in your hydration routine is the best practice for optimal health benefits. 

When is it better to drink cold water over hot water?

Because the best hydration option hinges on specific circumstances, there are a few times when you might want to reach for an ice-cold water glass over something warmer. For example, cold water will be preferable for:

• Rehydrating in hot weather or after physical exercise
• Boosting metabolism and driving energy levels
• A quick and refreshing revitalization option
• Settling an upset stomach or easing nausea
• Relieving headaches by constricting blood vessels

Is drinking cold water bad for digestion?

While there is no significant scientific research to suggest that cold water is bad for digestion, one limited study referenced by Verywell Health showed that drinking cold water before a meal decreased appetite and gastric motility.

Does cold water help after a workout?

Yes. Not only does cold water typically feel most refreshing after exercise, but drinking cold water can also help decrease your body’s temperature and reduce sweating sooner than drinking warmer water.

Can cold water trigger headaches or tooth sensitivity?

Yes, potentially. Cold water can trigger cold-stimulus headaches and can impact migraine sufferers more than others. People with sensitive teeth may also experience discomfort when drinking extremely cold water. One way to avoid the uncomfortable sensation is to drink cold water through a straw, bypassing the teeth entirely.

Is cold water less hydrating than warm water?

No, there is no evidence to suggest cold water is any less hydrating than warm water. Both are absorbed by the body in the same way, so choosing between the two is more a matter of preference or situation than hydration potential.

Why consider cold and hot water dispensing options?

With the unique benefits of drinking ice water and hot water in mind, the best hydration solutions offer both hot and cold water dispensing options.  A system and trusted water service provider that provides both temperatures ensures you have access to your preferred option on demand — whether it be the revitalizing chill of a cold drink or the soothing warmth of hot water. Meeting both needs is an effective way to promote an overall healthier lifestyle, proving indispensable in workplaces, homes or public spaces where individual preferences for water temperature vary widely. 

Why choose Culligan Quench to get the right temperature?

If you’ve been looking for a drinking water solution that doesn’t make you choose between offering hot and cold water options, Culligan Quench can help. Our advanced suite of bottleless water coolers provides both hot and cold mineral water, so users are free to choose based on their preferences. These dispensers utilize advanced filtration technology and connect directly to your water line, so you can rest assured that your team members and customers have access to an endless supply of water whenever they need it. 

Whether your employees are looking for a crisp glass of cold water on a hot summer day or a comforting cup of warm water when they’re busy at work, a bottleless water cooler from Culligan Quench can keep them satisfied. If you’re ready to offer your employees clean, refreshing hot and cold water options, try our product finder to discover the machine that’s the right fit for you. Or get a free estimate to get started.