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| - Last Updated on July 4, 2024 by Nivedita
Quick Take
A social media post claims drinking refrigerated water can be harmful for your health. We fact-checked and deemed it as mostly false.
The Claim
According to a social media post, one should avoid cold water to stay healthy. It further tells us to not drink refrigerated water because it may lead to severe health consequences.
Fact Check
A lot has been said about drinking water, from staying hydrated to the correct temperature and ways of drinking water, social media is full of posts which tell us what to do. Some are true and others are plain misinformation combined with fear mongering.
Can drinking warm water alone make one healthy?
No, not really, only drinking warm water may not guarantee good health. Drinking warm water can contribute to overall health by aiding digestion and potentially soothing various bodily discomforts. Warm water can help improve digestion by stimulating the digestive tract and easing the breakdown of food. It may also promote relaxation and relieve muscle tension. However, while warm water can be a beneficial addition to a healthy lifestyle, it’s not a standalone solution. A balanced diet, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and stress management are also crucial components of maintaining good health.
While doing our research we found no conclusive evidence that refrigerated water can pose threats to your health as claimed in the video. It can however harm certain individuals such as those with achalasia (a rare swallowing disorder which makes it difficult to swallow), people with cold and flu symptoms, and it can trigger headaches in people with migraine.
Which is better, cold or warm water?
Drinking warm has been known to improve digestion and facilitates toxin removal from the body. Drinking warm or hot water can help in relieving nasal congestion, sore throat, runny nose and tiredness. Warm water can help reduce shivering in winters. However, drinking warm or hot water has been found to make you feel less thirsty. This can be risky on days when your body needs to cool down by sweating and losing water. If you decide to drink warm water, be aware that you might not feel thirsty as often as you should. So, you need to keep a watchful eye on the amount of water you are drinking.
While some cultures view cold water consumption as a significant health risk for all individuals, there’s limited research supporting this notion. Water, at any temperature, has been proven to offer benefits like hydration, improved circulation, enhanced mood, reduced stress levels, better digestion, removal of toxins from the body and improved central nervous system functioning.
Another fake post claims that drinking cold water after meals will cause Cancer.
Regarding the benefits of cold water, they align with those of room-temperature water, primarily keeping the body hydrated and refreshed. It has been proven by a study that cold water (at 16°C) is the best for rehydration after intense sweating. Also, drinking cold or room-temperature water has shown beneficial effects on metabolism (helps burn more calories) and cardiovascular health.
Optimal water intake recommendation
According to guidelines from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, men aged 19 and above are advised to consume approximately 3.7 litres (or about 15.5 cups) of water daily, while women in the same age group should aim for around 2.7 litres (equivalent to roughly 11.5 cups) per day. You can drink more as per your bodily requirements and the weather.
And, no, drinking refrigerated water won’t harm your liver, kidneys and the heart. Drinking enough water and staying hydrated has proven beneficial for overall health, so finish that water bottle!
What does an expert say?
We checked with Dr Anusha Dewan (General Physician) for her opinion on warm vs cold water. She explained, “Drinking refrigerated water is generally safe and unlikely to harm your body. In fact, many people prefer cold water for its refreshing taste and ability to cool down the body, especially during warm weather or after physical activity. However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Drinking extremely cold water, especially in large quantities, can potentially cause temporary discomfort, such as throat irritation or brain freeze, but this is not harmful in the long term. Additionally, some people with sensitive teeth or throat conditions may find that very cold water aggravates their symptoms. In such cases, drinking water at room temperature may be more comfortable.”
We have also debunked some more claims related to water such as, Is it good to drink water one hour after meal? Does water have a potential use as blood thinner? Can alkaline water reverse sugar and blood pressure?
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