You may like cold water, but probably your mum have told you that warm water is better. Isn’t true? How about drinking warm water during and after your run on treadmill?
Some people recommend cold water when one is vigorously exercising due to following reasons:
- During intense physical activity, body temperature rises above the normal 37°C. Drinking cool water lowers the body’s temperature to its normal range. Sweating from running, kicking and jumping also helps lower the body’s temperature. In fact, studies show that cool water is absorbed more quickly from the stomach than warm water. It gives an immediate effect of cooling off the body. This makes dehydration less likely, allowing us to play harder and enjoy the sport even more. Source
- Second, contradict to what most believe, cold foods and beverages do not harm any of our internal organs, so we can feel free to enjoy them.
Another school of thought, including my mum, believes that cold water will give a “shock” to our bodies, especially during exercise. They believe that warm water should be the choice. For me, the water should not be so hot that it burns your mouth, or so cold that it is uncomfortable.
Personally, I prefer room temperature or slightly cool water when I work out in gym. The preferred water temperature is influenced by cultural and learned behaviors. If coldness helps you to drink large quantities of fluid while you are exercising, then keep it cool.
By the way, our bodies do not expend calories when absorbing cold water. In other words, drinking cool water will not make our body to lose weight. So, it is a myth about losing weight by drinking cold water.
Cold, room temperature or hot water, which one do you prefer when you are exercising?
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Angie Tan // Oct 31, 2007 at 11:39 am
:-)… by the time i finish some of my exercises, the cold water has turned to room temperature water.
however, while @ outdoor sports, i do enjoy cold water as it revitalizes me faster.
sylvesteR // Nov 1, 2007 at 1:52 am
Uhm, I thought when you exercise , you release heat right? But body temperature rises as well….soooooo, cold water is always the better choice. Just like what you said, cold water promotes absorption, so you can drink more to make up for you dehydrated body.
Lisan // Nov 2, 2007 at 1:40 am
I usually prefer cold water after working out and sweating like a wet fish. Sometimes I do drink warm or hot water as I always remembers my mom says “Never drink cold water after you perspired, it’s very bad for health. Imagine throwing cold water onto a hot wok after cooking, what’ll happen? Smoke gush out immediately right? That’s what’ll happen when we drink cold water. Drink hot or warm water is the best.” Whatever it is, I think as long as I take plain water and avoid sugary drink I’m ok. My gym provide all kinds of drinks there but I don’t want to risk putting back all those calories and sugar that I’d worked hard to burned off! Sometimes when I worked too hard, my body will tell me “Go! Go for the delicious cold ice lemon tea, it sure will taste great since you perspired so much. I need those energy!” Then I may take half a cup of it but very rarely.
sadagopan // Feb 22, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Hi Team,
My body is always hot. I take minimum 3 - 4 litres of water a day. I want to know how to make my body to cool? Give me some suggestion
Thanks
alifah halim // Feb 25, 2008 at 1:34 am
I need to know, why during and after my work out, my hands are very cold.. (like an ice)…. although my body sweat…this only happen on my hands..
Sometimes i am quite worry..i’ve been thingking wheter am i normal or not..
Pls let me know..tq
Howard Chang // Mar 28, 2008 at 8:26 am
I recently stumbledupon your website and am finding a lot of practical and often times hilarious posts. This entry caught my attention the most as I am slowly backtracking through all your entries.
I recently got interested in fitness and have read quite a lot of articles on such topics. I can’t be quite certain where I read this but I recall it may have been Men’s Fitness that mentioned drinking water that was substantially colder than room temperature may hinder the metabolism’s cycle. I personally prefer cold water(even iced water) when it comes to a refreshment after an arduous workout but have recently switched to drinking lukewarm water or room temp. water and have noticed a slight improvement in which my body handles my workout. Of course, with any kind of progress when it comes to exercising and working out there are placebo effects(it could be all just in my mind) so it’s very hard to pin point what works and what doesn’t. Additionally, everyone’s body functions differently so it would be hard to gauge how each individual’s body would react to such stimulus or lack of.
In any case, thanks for the insightful post. I thought it was very well put.
Kevlin // Aug 4, 2008 at 8:14 am
I heard from the old people they say that after exercising is bad to drink water straight away and far more worst is cold water. They said that drinking warm or hot is still ok but not cold example like ice water. It is said that it will cause stroke is that true or a myth?