Warm water, commonly used in tea, coffee and as a sore throat remedy, poses no health risks on its own. Warm and hot water taken from taps may have higher amounts of lead than cold water, however.
Lead
Contaminants such as lead can dissolve more quickly in hot water than cold water, says Anahad O'Connor in a 2008 article in the "New York Times." Corroded plumbing or lead pipes and fixtures in old homes may leak lead into hot tap water. Water that comes out of the tap hot or warm may have much higher levels of lead than water that comes out cold, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Recommendations
Ask your water provider whether your water has been tested for lead. No matter your water's lead content, use only cold water from the tap for drinking or cooking, recommends the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Boiling hot tap water will not reduce the water's lead content, notes the CDC, so get cold water from the tap even if you plan to boil it on the stove later.
Warm Water for Colds
Warm water with lemon and honey may help reduce congestion and keep you hydrated when you have a cold, according to MayoClinic.com. Drinking warm lemon water and honey or gargling with warm salt water can also help relieve a sore throat. Heat cold tap water in a tea kettle or microwave rather than getting it straight from the tap.
Daily Water Intake
Your body needs sufficient water to maintain normal temperature, remove waste through urination, perspiration and bowel movements and to protect your spinal cord and joints. Try to drink at least eight 8 oz. glasses of water per day, recommends MayoClinic.com. If you exercise frequently, live in a hot climate or have diarrhea, nausea or a fever, drink even more water. Signs of dehydration include weakness, fatigue, flushed skin, light-headedness, dark urine and dry cough.
References
- "New York Times"; The Claim: Never Drink Hot Water From the Tap; Anahad O'Connor; January 2008
- MayoClinic.com; Cold Remedies: What Works, What Doesn't, What Can't Hurt; February 2011
- Environmental Protection Agency: Lead in Drinking Water
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Lead in Water
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Water
- MayoClinic.com: How Much Water Should You Drink Every Day?
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