A tall, refreshing glass of ice water is the perfect beverage for a hot summer day or post workout. Cold water is also said to give the body a nice jolt of energy in the morning. However, drinking lukewarm water has numerous benefits. Warm or cold, though, staying hydrated is a surefire way to maintain health and feel good. Consider a few glasses a day on the lukewarm side and reap these benefits.
Improve Digestive and Bowel Function
Drinking lukewarm water during a meal can aid in the digestive process; it helps break down food in the stomach, says Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist Michael F. Picco, MD. Hot water also breaks down old food left behind in our digestive tracks --- colon cleanses flush the digestive track with warm water from the inside. Drinking it, however, can also help remove that fermenting waste. Warm water with lemon, according to Free Drinking Water, can help the body remove waste, too; smoother bowel functions are the result. Constipation and diarrhea can even be prevented.
Detox the Mind and Body
Drinking warm water a few times per week has purification benefits, according to Healthy Drinking Water Blog. As you drink hot or warm water, you body temperature rises. This results in perspiration, a natural process of cooling, which has an added bonus of removing toxins. This helps cleanse the bloodstream. It's like a sauna in beverage form. Because toxins are being removed from the body, many natural health practitioners believe warm water can also improve mental clarity.
Clear the Nose and Throat
Drinking warm or hot water can be an effective way to clear up nasal congestion from a cold, allergy or flu. The water vapor can loosen the mucus buildup in the nasal cavity. The logic of drinking the water alone is that it removes the dehydrating effects of caffeine in other hot beverages, such as tea and coffee, which should be avoided when ill. Additionally, warm water can help fight coughs by removing phlegm from the airways.
Warm Water Drinking Tips
Do not drink hot or warm water from your tap. Instead, boil the water in a teapot and let it cool until it is a lukewarm, comfortable-to-the-touch temperature. This will make your water clean and safe -- and prevent burns. If drinking warm water leaves a lot to be desired in the taste area, add lemon or honey --- or both. Not only do those additives make the water more flavorful, but they also add health benefits.
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