Drinking a lot of cold water is 'poison' to health... How should you drink water during hot weather (article sharing)

Oh, these days, as the weather gets hotter, the children keep looking for cold water.

To try to get you to drink lukewarm water,

They also tell you to mix in lukewarm water to drink... but since it's hot, I took it out of the refrigerator to drink.

Well.. I also drink cold water from the water cooler at work when it's hot..

Once again, after reading this article, I think lukewarm water is better than cold water.

I will tell the children as well, and I should also make an effort.

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Recently, with the weather getting hotter, many people are seeking ice-cold or cold water. However, cold water is known to lower body temperature and weaken immunity, which can be harmful to health. Could drinking a lot of cold water during this heatwave really be harmful to health?

Cold water lowers stomach temperature and impairs digestion.
Patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and hypertension need to be more cautious

To put it simply, drinking a lot of cold water when you're hot or thirsty is not good for your stomach health. Our digestive enzymes in the stomach work most actively at 35-40°C, and cold water lowers the stomach temperature, slowing down the digestion process.

Additionally, heating water to a temperature similar to the usual stomach temperature consumes energy, which can also reduce the energy required for digestion.

Professor Shin Woo-young of the Department of Family Medicine at Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital explained, "Lukewarm water is similar to body temperature, making it easier to absorb within the body and less burdensome on the digestive system and other bodily systems," and added, "(Compared to cold water) lukewarm water can facilitate enzyme activity and blood flow, making it more beneficial for health."

Suddenly drinking cold water can excessively stimulate the autonomic nervous system, constrict blood vessels, and cause heart diseases such as arrhythmia, which can negatively affect vascular health. Additionally, drinking cold water can lower body temperature, weaken the immune system, and increase vulnerability to various diseases.

Because of this, elderly people with poor blood circulation, heart disease patients, and those with high blood pressure should be cautious when consuming cold water.

Professor Oh Young-taek of Chung-Ang University Hospital's Emergency Medicine Department said, "One indicator of how cold water affects the blood vessels is headache," and added, "(When you drink cold water) a headache occurs during the temporary contraction and subsequent relaxation of the cerebral blood vessels. You should be cautious with ice water that causes a headache."

Ultimately, the ideal drinking temperature is around 30°C, and it is recommended to divide the daily intake of 1.5 to 2 liters into 200 to 300 ml portions. Additionally, if you have sweated heavily or exercised for a long time, it is advisable to drink electrolyte drinks to replenish both fluids and electrolytes.

Professor Oh Young-taek emphasized, "When sweat secretion is excessive, replenishing only with water can dilute the salt, leading to symptoms such as nausea, headache, muscle cramps, generalized seizures, and consciousness decline, so caution is necessary." He added, "Ion drinks contain an appropriate amount of electrolytes, which can prevent these side effects."