4 reasons why should avoid drinking cold water even in hot weather

Ice-cold drinks are refreshing in the summer heat, and drinking ice water can assist you burn calories. But there’s lots of anecdotal evidence that drinking iced drinks can be bad for you, even when the weather is hot – and the science backs it up.

You’ve probably how warm water opens your pores and makes your skin feel looser, while cold water closes your pores and constricts your skin. Guess what? Drinking cold water does the same thing to your digestive tract!

Here are a few reasons to consider avoiding the ice in your drinks:

1. Cold Water Can Affect Your Digestion

According to one study from the Journal of Physiology, the effects of drink temperature can have a serious impact on your digestive system. Ultimately the effects vary from person to person, but cold water was shown to have a negative impact on meal digestion.

This is a concept found in traditional Chinese medicine, according to one holistic Chinese medicine clinic.

“If you drink cold liquid with a meal then all of the fats will solidify and turn your food into a sticky sludge that slows down your digestion and becomes stagnant,” the clinic’s literature explains.

Drink something cold causes your blood vessels to shrink and this hinders your digestion. Instead of working towards breaking down and absorbing the nutrients from the foods you just ate, your body is stuck wasting energy to regulate your core temperature.

2. Cold Water Can Negatively Affect The Spleen

In acupuncture traditions, the spleen is considered to need a moderate temperature in order to function properly. A healthy spleen is essential for protecting the body from pathogens and fighting off infection.

3. Cold Water Weakens Your Immune System

Drinking cold water after a meal creates excess mucus in your body, which can lead to a decrease in immune system function, making it easier to catch colds and illnesses. Although its effect is minimal, to an individual with a weak constitution, drinking cold water could prove problematic.

4. Cold Water Can Exacerbate Existing Health Conditions

Cold water can exacerbate asthma symptoms in children, according to a study by the Eurpean Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. Another study found that 7.6% of participants experienced a headache after drinking a glass of ice water – and the numbers only go up when you factor in whether or not a participant had a history of migraine.