Drinking water is essential for overall health, and consuming it warm or hot may provide “additional benefits.”
While scientific research on the topic is “limited,” some alternative health proponents suggest it can positively impact well-being.
The article outlines eight potential benefits, including:
- Improved Digestion: Hot water can help break down food more efficiently than cold water, potentially reducing the risk of constipation.
- Body Detoxification: Some advocates claim that hot water can induce sweating, which helps to “expel toxins and cleanse the pores.”
- Enhanced Circulation: Hot water acts as a “vasodilator,” expanding blood vessels and improving circulation, which may help muscles relax and reduce pain.
- Weight Loss: Drinking more water, especially hot water, can aid “weight loss” by increasing feelings of fullness and boosting metabolism. A 2003 study found that drinking 500 ml of hot water increased metabolism by “40 percent.”
- Pain Relief: The increased circulation from hot water may offer “pain relief” for injured muscles.
- Combating Colds and Improving Sinus Health: The heat from hot water and steam can help relieve sinus pressure and move mucus, making it easier to manage “colds and allergies.”
- Encouraging Coffee and Tea Consumption: Using hot water to make “coffee or tea” can encourage the consumption of these beverages, which have their own health benefits when consumed in moderation.
- Stress Reduction: A soothing cup of hot water or tea can help “manage stress and anxiety.” Some studies suggest that the warmth of hot liquids can lower stress and “improve mood.”
