Is Drinking Cold Water Bad For You?

Many health-conscious people advocate drinking enough water daily and staying hydrated to stay healthy. But, this may not be the case with cold water.

Many are of the opinion that drinking cold water can do you more harm than good. This belief comes from the idea that cold water may cause your stomach to contract, thereby making it harder for the food to digest after a meal. Some individuals also believe that your body will have to work harder to maintain the optimal inner temperature (37°C) if the water you are drinking is at a temperature of 4°C or less.

Are these beliefs true? Well, maybe partly.

According to a small study carried out in 1978 and published in Chest, drinking cold water was found to make nasal mucus thicker and consequently more difficult to pass through the respiratory tract. Comparatively, drinking hot water or beverages like chicken soup was observed to make breathing easier. Cold water was also found to aggravate congestion in those who had cold or flu .

In another study conducted in 2001, drinking cold water was linked to triggering migraine in those who already experience it . The pain related to another condition called achalasia (a condition that makes it difficult for food to pass through the esophagus) can also get worse when you drink cold water with a meal.

Also, according to Chinese medicine, drinking cold water with meals is believed to create an imbalance within the body. Hence, meals in the Chinese culture, as well as several other cultures around the world, are served with warm water.