Why is it important to drink water, hot or cold, in the winter?
The cold and flu season is no fun. The sniffling, sneezing, and headaches add up to a big discomfort for many. While there is no cure for the common cold or flu, there are ways you can try to fight it by drinking adequate amounts of water. Water helps to wash germs and viruses out of your immune system and keeps the body hydrated.
You may be wondering how to keep the body hydrated, in the winter. Warming up with a cup of hot tea not only soothes the soul but also hydrates you. When used to replace a sugary beverage it can decrease calories and help you lose weight, not to mention the benefits of drinking hot water and staying hydrated in general. Drink tea often also keeps your antioxidant levels high throughout the day.
Benefits of keeping hydrated in winter
Drinking hot water is believed to offer extra health benefits, in addition to the overall well-being benefits of water at any temperature. Squeeze a lemon to your tea to add another health boost of ascorbic acid during these winter months. So why should you rely on hot drinks for winter?
Staying hydrated prevents fatigue
Water oxygenates your blood and flushes out harmful toxins from your immune system. One of the first signs of dehydration is fatigue. Thus, if you are having a 3:00 afternoon slump at work, brew up a little tea bag or use a teaspoon of loose leaves to help increase your energy level. You may have just been dehydrated.
Healthier digestion with winter hydration
Drinking adequate amounts of water will help you digest your food better. When you don’t stay adequately hydrated, your small intestine absorbs the majority of the water obtained from both food and beverages. This leads to dehydration and can complicate the process of having a bowel movement.
Sustained dehydration can lead to persistent constipation, making bowel movements uncomfortable and potentially resulting in issues such as haemorrhoids and bloating.
Opting for hot water consumption accelerates the breakdown of food compared to drinking cold or lukewarm water, lowering the chances of experiencing constipation and promoting regular, more comfortable bowel movements.
Benefits of drinking hot water for your skin
Hot water has the potential to expand pores, facilitating the elimination of toxins and impurities from the skin. It can enhance blood circulation to the skin, thereby contributing to skin well-being and minimising the visible effects of ageing. Additionally, hot water can effectively moisturise the skin, warding off dryness and promoting a vibrant, healthy complexion.
Drinking water will also help organs like your eyes and mouth to remain moist and repel contaminants that could cause infections.
Hot water aids in weight loss
It has been discovered that transitioning from consuming cold water to hot water could potentially boost weight loss, according to a 2003 study. The researchers observed that drinking 500 ml of water before a meal increased metabolism by 30 percent.
Elevating the water temperature to 98.6 degrees contributed to 40 percent of this metabolic enhancement. This heightened metabolic rate endured for approximately 30-40 minutes after water intake.
Before you run for that glass of water, however, stop to think about whether your water is filtered or not. The full benefit of water is ineffective if it contains waterborne contaminants such as bacteria, sediment, Giardia or Cryptosporidium. This is why drinking filtered water, free from contaminants, is best for your immune system.
We offer products that enable you to have filtered water at work or at home, check out or range.