Water has the unique ability to quench our thirst and nourish our bodies and is essential to our overall health. But have you ever considered whether the temperature of your drinking water might affect your health? In this blog piece, we'll explore the temperature spectrum of water and the fascinating ways different temperatures can impact your health and hydration.
Water and Your Health
As you know, water is essential to our diets and overall health. It constitutes 50-70% of our bodies and is involved in many critical functions, from temperature regulation to metabolism. Given it’s importance to our overall well-being, it is important that we consume an adequate amount of water every day.
Many variables affect how we hydrate- access to water, quality, taste and aesthetic preferences- so it is important to consider what makes water most appealing to us. The aspect of water most likely to impact how much of it we drink is taste, but temperature is another important factor. Let's take a look at the temperature spectrum of water and learn how it may influence our bodily functions and hydration.
Is there an ideal temperature for drinking Water?
The water temperature we drink can do more than just suit our taste; some people believe it has actual health benefits. Knowing how different temperatures affect our bodies can help us make better choices about how we stay hydrated.
- Room Temperature Water: Many experts consider room temperature (around 68-72°F or 20-22°C) as the ideal option for drinking water. It's gentle on the digestive system, easily absorbed and less likely to affect those who are temperature sensitive.
- Cold Water: Cold water (around 32-40°F or 0-4°C) is refreshing and can help cool us down, making it more desirable for hot weather or post-exercise rehydration. On the other hand, drinking cold water may temporarily constrict blood vessels and aggravate achalasia, a swallowing disorder. Regardless, there are no data to suggest that drinking cold water has a negative impact on our health.
- Warm Water: Warm water (around 110-120°F or 43-49°C) is considered by many to aid digestion and promote relaxation. It's often recommended in traditional medicine for its potential therapeutic benefits, though no scientific studies support such claims.
- Hot Water: Much like warm water, hot water (above 120°F or 49°C) may aid digestion, relieve constipation and promote relaxation, but it has additional benefits such as brewing herbal teas and coffee. Healthcare experts suggest, though, that it should be consumed at temperatures less than 160°F or 71°C to avoid burns.
Final Thoughts
Is there an ideal temperature for drinking water? From a biological perspective, the answer appears to be no. However, given the importance of consuming water to our overall health, most healthcare experts agree that whatever leads you to drink more water is the ideal option. That means your temperature preference for water is the healthiest or most ideal option for your hydration.
With Lilli's intelligent water system, you have the power to customize your water temperature from ice cold to boiling, ensuring you can enjoy the perfect pour every time, tailored to your preferences. So, whether it's a soothing cup of tea or a refreshing glass of cold water, embrace the temperature that makes you happy and helps you on your journey to optimal hydration.
