Increasing your water intake, but what is the ideal way to consume it?
We have extensively discussed the importance of staying hydrated. If you’re not drinking sufficient water – and it’s highly likely that you aren’t – you should start consuming more. Seriously. Yet, you might be pondering over the suitable method to ingest all this extra water. Should it be warm? Cold? Maybe deliberately lukewarm from a microwave? I recall an acquaintance who preferred it that way once. The response might catch you off guard.
Lets begin with consuming hot water. Naturally, it should not be scorching, but some individuals claim that drinking pleasantly warm water is beneficial for blood circulation and digestion. It can also be a healthy and comforting choice on particularly chilly days, particularly after spending hours in the snow. Hot chocolate is enjoyable, but the hydration power delivered by hot water will be a lifesaver.
On the contrary, studies have indicated that drinking ice-cold water enhances its hydrating properties. The exact reason behind this eludes me; my educated guess would be that perhaps the cooling effect lowers your body temperature, thereby reducing the loss of water reserves through sweat? I’m not entirely sure. Nonetheless, it’s incredibly invigorating following an intense summer run, notably since a chilled glass of water is fantastic for alleviating sore muscles post-workout.
Amongst all temperature extremes, which is the superior way to consume water? The answer is… none or all. To be honest, there is no solid scientific evidence that proves one method of water consumption is objectively better than the others. When the main goal is to increase water intake, the specific method doesn’t significantly impact. As long as you’re hydrating yourself more, you’re free to relish it in whichever way you prefer, even if you’re someone who warms it up in the microwave.