It is common for you to drink warm water during winter, right? But do you know it comes with various perks and benefits? The benefits include improved energy levels, stronger immunity system, and better hydration among other things. Hence, when you make it a habit of drinking warm water, you unknowing save yourself from a huge future medical cost. This sort of works as a health insurance for you.
Why Should You Drink Warm Water in Winter?
- Improves Digestion
Slow descending metabolism is another side effect of cold weather. Food stays in the stomach longer than normal in colder temperatures, leading to bloating/constipation problems. To combat these issues, consuming warm water (not any temperature) will stimulate digestion and allow for a much smoother journey from the stomach to intestines – thus allowing all nutrients present in your food to be absorbed into your system.
- Promotes Blood Circulation
In the winter months, our blood vessels constrict, which can lead to decreased blood flow; therefore, hands and more importantly (footless zombies), feel much colder than when it’s warm outside. The higher water temperature helps to relax (and expand) these blood vessels – thereby enhancing blood flow – which ultimately helps us as individuals remain warm!
- Makes Immune System Strong
Winter is the time when most of us will have a cold or sore throat at least once, but drinking warm water can alleviate both of these symptoms. It provides relief to your throat, moistens the membranes in your mouth and throat, and allows for easier drainage of mucus from the lungs. The act of drinking warm water allows you to remain hydrated, which enhances the performance of your immune system and aids in the removal of toxins from the body, therefore improving your ability to fight infection.
- Decreases Chances of Getting Congested or Coughing
Dry air in the winter can cause irritation in your throat and lead to coughing fits. Sipping warm water will help relieve any irritation and also help to keep the airways in your lungs from becoming dry. Additionally, warm water thins the mucus making it easier for you to clear your chest and more comfortably breathe.
Removes Toxins and Waste from the Body
Your body continues to produce toxins and waste, even during winter months. Warm water aids in removing these toxins and wastes from your body through the kidneys, the skin, and the sweat glands. This natural process of cleansing the body helps to keep your internal organs healthy and your skin looking fresh.
How Much Warm Water One Must Drink Regularly?
The average recommended amount to consume daily varies from person to person depending on their height/weight, how active they are, and the temperature outside, but generally speaking, you should drink approximately 6-8 glasses (8-12 ounces) of liquid per day.
It is recommended that you consume 2-4 of those glasses as warm water (hot) throughout the day during cold months; for example, when you first wake up in the morning, immediately following each meal, and then just prior to going to sleep. Consuming more than the recommended number of warm glasses of water per day will help keep you hydrated and also aids the body in digestion, circulation, and metabolism.
Urine colour can be an accurate indicator of your level of hydration: if your urine is colourless (or only slightly yellow), then that will tell you that you are well-hydrated with sufficient fluid; however, do not drink warm water/tea that is hotter than 140F (66C), as this could potentially damage your throat or cause other health-related problems (e.g., damage your internal organs or surface tissues). It is best to consume warm liquids when they are comfortably warm or only slightly above warm, and always allow your drink to cool down to a safe temperature before consuming.
How to Improve the Benefits of Drinking Warm Water?
Adding simple, natural ingredients to warm water will enhance flavor and aid in health:
- Include Lime or Lemon: The juice from a lime or lemon gives your warm water a wonderful citrus taste and provides Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps your body absorb mineral nutrients such as iron or zinc from the food you eat. The citrus also makes the warm water taste light and refreshing.
- Use Fresh Ginger: Adding a few slices of fresh ginger root helps warm and soothe the digestive system. Ginger also has mild anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great remedy during the cold winter months.
- Cinnamon Stick: Adding a stick of cinnamon will add sweetness, aroma, and warmth to the warm water as well as help regulate blood sugar levels and make the beverage feel comforting and warm.
- Herbal Teas: If you get bored with drinking plain water, simply switch it up by drinking no caffeine herbal teas such as chamomile or peppermint or rooibos. In addition to providing you with hydration, they will add an extra boost of antioxidants and relaxation to the beverage.
Differences between Drinking Cold and Warm during Winter
Here is a basic chart comparing how to drink warm vs. cold water to help you stay healthy during the winter months:
| Feature | Warm Water in Winter | Cold Water |
| Hydration | Water at room temperature hydrates as effectively as cold water. The temperature of the water does not affect its hydration abilities. | Although very hydrating and refreshing, when it’s cold outside it can feel quite uncomfortable. |
| Digestive comfort | Warm water is gentle on the stomach, relaxes muscles and helps food move through the system properly. | There may also be a slight slowing of digestion because of the constriction of blood vessels in the intestines. |
| Throat/
congestion |
Warmth is soothing to the throat; loosens mucus, clears nasal congestion. | For some individuals, it may cause mucus to become thicker, resulting in increased discomfort in the throat. |
| Energy demands on the body. | Your body has to use less energy to digest warm water, which is helpful when your body is already using energy to keep warm. | The body expends the additional energy in order to heat itself internally to the point at which it actually reaches its ideal temperature. |
| Pleasure/adherence | When it is cold outside, the warmth from warm water feels good and it is easier to drink enough fluids. | Due to the fact that it is often too cold during winter months to easily consume large amounts of water, many people do not drink enough water at this time. |
When is the Best Time to Drink Warm Water to Get the Most Benefit?
Drinking warm water is beneficial during the winter and especially when it can help with how you feel throughout the day. Consider starting your day off with a glass of warm water on an empty stomach. This will help you wake up your digestive system, as well as helping to flush out waste and toxins from your body. Following that, have another glass of warm water about 15-20 minutes before you eat, which will support digestion and help you absorb nutrients from your food.
You can continue to drink warm water throughout the day; because indoor heating causes the air in your home to become very dry, you will want to consume at least 8 glasses (64 ounces) of water total by the end of the day. In the evening, drink a soothing cup of warm water prior to going to bed, which will help to relax your body and throat prior to going to sleep.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the use of warm water during the winter not only helps you stay hydrated; it is a very simple way to take care of your body, and thus promote overall wellness. Every time you drink warm water, you are aiding in digestion, helping keep your body warm, and assisting you with maintaining balance when the colder months test your energy levels.
When combined with a good individual health insurance policy, such as PPO, you can help protect your health and financial well-being and provide yourself with the ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle by having inexpensive and adequate health insurance in the event of an unexpected medical emergency at any time of the year.
I am a content writer with proven experience in crafting engaging, SEO-optimized content tailored to diverse audiences. Over the years, I’ve worked with School Dekho, various startup pages, and multiple USA-based clients, helping brands grow their online visibility through well-researched and impactful writing.
