To beat the summer heat and keep your body hydrated, you must ensure you have cold water anytime at your disposal. Carrying an insulated water bottle to keep the water cold longer is something anyone would do. If water for drinking is not cold enough, you throw in a few ice cubes, and you feel relaxed after a few gulps.
The National Academics and Sciences, Engineering and Medicine suggest that men who are 19 years and older should take at least 2.5 litres of water a day, while the women of the same age should take 2.2 litres a day. Even with proven benefits of hydration, the overarching question remains: Is cold water healthy?
There are people who believe that cold water is disastrous to the human body, and should be avoided because it can lead to a myriad of diseases. They have a strong belief that when this water goes to the stomach, it makes the stomach to contract, making digestion a near impossibility.
But is there any truth in the statement? Well, read on to understand the actual benefits of cold water.
Benefits
Drinking cold water tags along an array of benefits including:
Strengthens the immune system
If you live in cold areas, or your location experiences the unforgiving months of winter, taking cold water correctly can boost the strength of your body defenses; thus making you tolerant to cold weather, changes in temperature, and wind. Surprisingly, cold water does this through the same process as weight lifting. It exerts immune stress to your immune system; thus giving it a mini workout that makes it stronger every day.
Therefore, if your desire is to suffer less weather-related diseases, then drinking cold water is all you need!
Weight loss
Drinking cold water can lead to weight loss.
Today, most people have understood the dangers that may arise from weight gain; thus they are looking for all manner of ways to cut several pounds when they can. Some of them are even resulting in ridiculous methods, such as using pills that promise overnight results. What they don’t know is that sometimes, all they need to do is take cold water to complement their diets and workout.
The body’s metabolism functions like a furnace which burns fuel to keep the body warm. The body on the other hand is constantly aiming to maintain a static temperature of 37 degrees Celsius. Therefore, the colder the internal conditions, the more calories you will burn to keep warm. Drinking cold water will do this trick!
Shiny hair
Your hair is one of the first things that people see. Therefore, if you don’t shave it clean, you need to keep it healthy so that others can develop a positive perception about you. The good news is, you don’t have to result in all manner of chemicals to keep it looking great all the time. All you need is to take the recommended amount of cold water, and you will thank yourself later!
Cold water makes the hair shinier by making the hair cuticles lie flatter; thus reflecting more light. It is as simple as that!
Promotes healthy skin
Your skin is the outer part of you, and to look beautiful, it must look healthy. People with skin problems tend to have low self-esteem, and most of them avoid going to public places. If you are one of them, maybe you should try taking cold water. It might save you the embarrassment!
When the skin is exposed to cooler water, it becomes stronger and immune against allergies, irritations, skin rashes. Also, it gives the skin a healthy glow and leads to efficient blood circulation on the surface of the skin.
Makes you feel like a champion
If you want to stay alert all day long, wake up at 5 am and hit a cold shower. You will feel as though you are preparing for a battle, and there is no doubt that you will face everything you come across with confidence. This is because cold showers give you a boost of adrenaline; thus giving you the urge and motivation to attack your day and get the most out of it.
Increases alertness
If you feel sluggish, but you must go to work, taking a cold shower will work the magic. It will give you a sudden boost of energy. This is because as you take a bath, you tend to take deep breaths to keep your body warm. This boosts the overall oxygen intake, increases the heart rate, and encourages blood circulation in the entire body. This way, you will feel rejuvenated and work towards achieving your goals.
Makes you high naturally
You don’t have to take an alcoholic beverage to feel high. No! Studies show that cold water therapy is one of the few ways that can make the human body high naturally. This is because it releases a host of ‘happy chemicals’ including serotonin, which will make you feel euphoric. If you don’t believe it, then try it yourself.
The dangers
They say that everything good doesn’t come without its fair share of downsides, and cold water is not an exception. First, exposing yourself to cold water can make your nasal mucus thicker, making it challenging to pass through the respiratory system. If you are treating cold flu, taking or bathing with cold water will worsen the situation.
Some studies have also found out that cold water can trigger migraines in people already suffering from migraine. Also, it can worsen the pain related to achalasia, which is a condition that makes it hard for the body to pass food through the esophagus.
Final thoughts
Unless you have an existing condition such as migraines and achalasia, we can confidently state that the health benefits of cold water outweigh its dangers.
Therefore, make it a habit to drink about 15 cups of this cold fluid if you are a man, and 11 cups if you are a woman, and you will thoroughly enjoy the benefits that come with it. Also, take cold showers whenever you can, and you will be surprised at how much energy your body will gain. Best of luck!
