Cold water gulped after exercise causes 'this problem' in muscles

Drinking cold water after exercise may slow down the process of relieving muscle fatigue. After exercise, metabolic waste products accumulated in the muscles need to be expelled quickly to alleviate fatigue. However, drinking cold water causes blood vessels to constrict, which hampers the smooth expulsion of metabolic waste into the bloodstream. When cold water is consumed, the muscles responsible for breathing also temporarily stiffen, which can slow down the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body, potentially delaying muscle recovery. Similarly, taking a cold shower immediately after exercise is also not recommended.

Drinking cold water after exercise can easily lead to indigestion, stomach pain, or diarrhea. Right after exercising, gastrointestinal function is weaker than usual. This is because blood is mainly directed to the muscles, reducing the blood flow to the digestive organs such as the stomach and intestines, and digestive secretions slow down. At this time, drinking cold water stimulates the already weakened stomach, further impairing its function. The stomach consumes energy to bring the temperature of the cold water up to body temperature, which reduces the energy available for the digestion process.

It is better to drink lukewarm water, about 250-300mL, after exercise rather than cold water. However, if you have exercised for a long time or sweated excessively, it is recommended to drink electrolyte drinks such as sports drinks instead of water. When you sweat, sodium and other electrolytes are lost, and drinking plain water at this time can further imbalance the body's electrolyte levels, leading to dizziness or vomiting. According to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, experiments conducted on individuals who lost about 2% of their body weight through sweating during exercise showed that drinking electrolyte drinks resulted in fewer muscle cramps compared to drinking water.