Drinking Hot Water: Health Benefits and Risks to Consider

Key Takeaways

• Drinking hot water can have various health benefits for your digestive system, cardiovascular system, and central nervous system.
• It’s important to be cautious about the temperature of the water to prevent injury to the skin and the digestive tract. 

Ensuring you drink enough water daily is one of the easiest ways to improve your overall health. Despite its simplicity, however, many people still struggle with adequate water consumption. Typical arguments are that water is boring and doesn’t bring the same satisfaction as other beverages. Take a cup of tea, for example. Holding a warm mug can feel soothing, and drinking the hot liquid can be both physically and mentally satisfying. 

So what about drinking hot water? If you find drinking room-temperature water unappealing, drinking hot water is a better option. Not only can hot water keep you hydrated, but it may also improve your health, as well as your mood and overall sense of well-being. In this article, we highlight the benefits and risks of drinking hot water so you can see if it’s right for you. 

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9 Health Benefits of Drinking Hot Water

In addition to proper hydration, there are some surprising benefits when it comes to drinking hot water. Below are some of the positive impacts hot water can have on your health:

1. Congestion Relief: When you hold a mug of hot water close to your face, you inevitably take in the steam it’s producing. Inhaling steam can help reduce sinus pressure by breaking up nasal congestion and chest congestion. Think of a cup of hot water as your own personal humidifier. 
2. Reduce Appetite: Hot beverages will fill up an empty stomach, helping you more quickly experience feelings of fullness and causing you to eat less. 
3. Enhanced Digestion: One study found that drinking hot water before a meal increases the frequency of stomach contractions, making digestion more efficient and supporting regular bowel movements.¹
4. Improve Gastrointestinal Health: Drinking warm water instead of cold water has been shown to positively affect the gut microbiome and reduce bloating.²
5. Body Detoxification: Ayurveda, an ancient holistic practice of medicine, recommends drinking hot water to support the body’s natural detox pathways and help eliminate toxins from the body. 
6. Improved Dental Health: Drinking water frequently helps wash away food particles that may get stuck in teeth and cause dental issues. 
7. Constipation Relief: Hot water helps relieve constipation in several ways. Staying adequately hydrated will keep stools soft, and a hot beverage can stimulate bowel movements.³
8. Improve Mood and Decrease Stress: Dehydration can negatively impact mental and physical health. One study found that being underhydrated resulted in a higher heart rate, worse mood, and even reduced brain function. Sipping on hot water can prevent dehydration and help you slow down and practice mindfulness.⁴

1. Menstrual Cramps Soothing: One study showed that consuming hot water during menstruation can relax muscles and improve blood flow, ultimately helping to relieve period cramps.⁵

<div class="pro-tip"><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href=how-much-water-should-you-drink-a-day>How Much Water Should You Drink in a Day/a></a>.</div>

Drinking Hot Water: Potential Risks

While there are many hot water benefits, there are also some risks to be aware of. Below are some things to take into consideration before pouring your next cup:

1. Hot Beverages Can Damage the Esophagus

• Studies have shown that drinking very hot beverages can cause thermal injury to the esophagus and may increase the risk of esophageal cancer.⁶

2. Increased Risk of Skin Burns

• According to the American Burn Association, nearly 90% of scald burns are related to drinking or serving hot liquids. Hot water will burn skin at temperatures much lower than its boiling point. In fact, it only takes 3 seconds of exposure to 140°F  water to cause a burn serious enough to require surgery.⁷

Best Tips for Hot Water Consumption

Here are our top tips for getting the most out of your cup of hot water:

• Ensure you are extra careful when handling any hot beverage to avoid burns.
• Try adding fruit, such as lemon, to your hot water. Lemon water can improve the taste and offer benefits like vitamin C and extra fiber.
• Herba teas are naturally caffeine-free and contain little to no calories, so they are a great option for drinking more hot water. 
• Mixing in spices like cinnamon, ginger, or turmeric is a great way to get some extra antioxidants and spice up hot water.
• If you’re trying to cut back on coffee, make your second cup of coffee only with hot water. This will satisfy your craving for a hot drink without giving you the caffeine jitters. 

The Bottom Line

Drinking hot water can have numerous health benefits for the digestive, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems. As long as you’re mindful of the water temperature and take the necessary precautions to avoid burns, this practice can help improve your mood and overall health. 

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<div class="pro-tip"><strong>Learn More: </strong><a href=water-lower-blood-sugar>Does Drinking Water Lower Blood Sugar? The Truth Unraveled</a>.</div>