Health & Wellness

13 Hidden Dangers of Drinking Cold Water after a Meal

Are you looking for dangers of drinking cold water? Drinking enough water in a single day is a well-known fact; however, we have heard about this phenomenon since our childhood days. We must drink 8 to 10 glasses of water to stay healthy and hydrated, especially in the summertime. Some people love to drink lukewarm water for particular reasons, and some only want ice-cold chilled water. 

There is nothing better than a chilled glass of water when you are sweating and feeling hot, but you would be surprised to know that the temperature of drinking water directly affects your health and wellness, and drinking chilled water is not a good idea at all.

Many studies reviewed drinking ice-cold or chilled water, which was shocking. Water is the essential source to quench your thirst, but some aspects can turn this boon into a curse.

In this Article

  1. Dangers of Drinking Cold Water

Dangers of Drinking Cold Water

Let’s check this article and find out nine reasons why you shouldn’t drink chilled or cold water:

1. It Can Make You Fat

Some people believe that drinking chilled water can help fat burn, but unfortunately, this is not true.

Drinking chilled water can make fat harder to burn, and calories remain as it is or become more challenging to burn naturally or after the workout.

Even gym experts also suggest drinking lukewarm water after the workout. Try to avoid drinking cold water, especially after the meal; moreover, you should wait for 20 to 30 minutes after the meal so it can digest or never appear into fatty components. 

2. Provoke Constipation

Now, this is the most significant health problem and one of the common stomach issues that triggered millions of people.

Yes, there are other reasons for constipation, but drinking chilled water is one of them, and the reason is simple.

Whenever you drink cold water, it disturbs the digestive system. It made things harder and solidified so they can’t move quickly, and whenever you feel like ‘going,’ your intestine produces contraction, but still, you think constipation because you drank chilled water.

If you are already fighting constipation or other stomach-related problems, try to avoid drinking cold water.

To break down constipation, just drink normal water or lukewarm water, especially in the morning.   

ALSO READ: How to cure Constipation quickly and naturally

3. Slow Down the Rehydration Process

Water keeps us hydrated, which is necessary and required for our body. Some people think that drinking chilled water can speed up the rehydration process; that is false.

Our body works at a temperature that it maintains, and drinking cold water disturbs the natural process.

In exceptional cases, long-distance runners can drink as they have to slow down the rehydration process; otherwise, a common person must avoid drinking cold water.  

4. Affects Digestion Process

Our body naturally absorbs all the needed nutrients and minerals from our food, and when we drink cold water, the natural process hinders. Now you can take this as a serious concern, but this is true.

Drinking chilled water or chilled beverages like soda shakes or cold drinks can contract the blood vessels, and you may feel stomach pain, nausea, stomach discomfort, and bloating, which means total digestion is disturbed.

Whenever you eat food, the digestive system directly starts its work of digestion, and it has to maintain the proper body temperature for the proper process. Drinking chilled water affects the average temperature, so your body has to work extra. 

5. Affects Heart rate

When it comes to the heart, you can’t avoid the fact, and it becomes the other reason you shouldn’t drink chilled water.

Studies have shown that drinking chilled water directly affects the vagus nerve in the back neck area and slows down the heart rate.

The Vagus nerve is a vital part of the nervous system and controls various functions in the human body. 

ALSO READ: Worst foods that are bad for your heart

6. Throat Discomfort

It is natural to feel running nose and sinuses blockage in the winters. And when you drink chilled water, the same condition appears as your body has to generate extra mucus to ingest the cold effects called the natural humidifier process of the body.

When you drink chilled water, the body unnecessarily starts its process, and as a result, you feel sore throat or coughing due to extra mucus.  

7. Headaches

Millions of people feel brain freezing after eating ice cream or drinking any chilled beverage, and drinking cold water can give you an intense headache as chilled water affects the spine nerves linked with the brain.

You might be interested in intestinal worms in humans

8. Lose Energy

You may feel energetic and fresh after drinking chilled water, but this is only a momentary feeling because the truth is when you drink cold water, your body has to work more to maintain the body temperature.

When your body works extra, you lose energy, and after some time, you feel lazy and lack energy.

9. Imbalance the Body

Drinking chilled water can imbalance the body, and your body can’t absorb all the nutrients well.

The experts believe that drinking cold water just after the workout can be worse because your body is in a heating state, and when you drink cold water instantly, you can invite stomach pain, sore throat, headache, and many other troubles.

10. Hypothermia

Drinking cold water can also lead to hypothermia, which is a condition in which the body’s temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This can be dangerous for those who are susceptible to it, and can even be fatal.

11. Throat Infections

Drinking cold water can increase your risk of getting infections such as the common cold or the flu.

12. Risk of Developing UTI

Drinking cold water can also increase your risk of developing urinary tract infections (UTI), which are infections in the kidneys or bladder.

13. Muscle Cramps and pains

Drinking cold water can lead to a build-up of lactic acid in the muscles, which can cause cramps and other muscle pains.

Conclusion

I have heard many times from my grandma to drink lukewarm water whenever you leave the bed. Maybe she is right. Drinking warm water has many benefits, and it reverses all the cons of chilled water into pros.

You can also drink room temperature water which is not harmful, but you must avoid chilled water. We know hot summery days can lead you through drinking chilled water, but you must focus on your health.

You can have fresh fruits or fruit juices to get refreshment, and coconut water will also work to provide a soothing and chill perception.

We hope the dangers of drinking cold water will be helpful for you and you will share it with your friends so they can also know about the information. Stay healthy and happy, share your experience and reviews with us, and stay connected with us for more details.

References

  1. The effect of a cold beverage during an exercise – PubMed
  2. Is Drinking Cold Water Bad? – MedicineNet
  3. Drink cold or warm water, what is best for your health?– Researchgate.net

Dr Maria

MD. Board Certified physician. Fellowship In Family Medicine UK. 8 years of medical experience in Lifestyle-related health disorders. Graduated from AIIMS – All India Institute Of Medical Science, INDIA

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