Does Drinking Cold Water Help with Fitness?

The easiest strategy to restore fluids during and after exercise is to drink water, however different sources may give you varying temperature recommendations. What role does water temperature have in hydration, fitness and exercise and how reusable half gallon bottles are a good option. 

The Benefits of Cold Water

Water is beneficial and hydrating regardless of temperature, however drinking cold water during and after exercise may have some further advantages.

Cools the body's core temperature

Your body's temperature increases during activity, and you sweat out fluids. These methods may help you prevent water loss through sweat and help you hydrate better. According to a study, consuming ice water or an ice slurry helped maintain the core temperatures of six healthy guys from rising. Researchers discovered that drinking cold water has the ability to marginally boost athletic performance by roughly 50% during a 60-minute workout session in a somewhat bigger study including 45 physically fit healthy males. 

Increased Metabolism

The metabolism of one increases after drinking cold water, it was found by scientists in a research which took place in London. The researchers found that 75 percent of people have their digestion and metabolism improved after drinking cold water for continuously 3 months. 

According to several studies, drinking cold water increases metabolism, aids in weight loss, and improves blood pressure.

For people with specific medical issues, cold water can have drawbacks that should be considered. It can worsen "cold stress" in people who already have weakened immune systems and make it harder for people to maintain a healthy core body temperature in emergency situations. Blood arteries may narrow as a result, raising risks for people with high blood pressure. Drinking cold water can cause severe discomfort in some medical conditions, such as achalasia and tooth sensitivity.

What happens if you consume cold water both before and after working out?

You need to stay hydrated while engaging in high-intensity exercise. Your body temperature rises as you become more physically active. Many people prefer to carry water bottles with storage to the gym which keep all your essentials together. You start to perspire as a safeguard.

Although sweating may seem unpleasant or undesirable, when it leaves your skin, it actually helps you stay cool. However, excessive perspiration might dehydrate you, which can result in a number of unfavorable side effects. As a result, you need to drink water to rehydrate. If not, your body will get dehydrated, which could have a number of negative physical effects. 

  • Your heart rate also decreases when you swim in cold water, which helps you perform better during exercise and recover more quickly.

  • You become tired and perform worse as your body temperature rises.

  • According to studies, if you drink cold water while exercising, you are less likely to become dehydrated and can exercise for longer periods of time before becoming worn out.

However, drinking cold water is not necessary; you can still exercise while sipping water that is normal temperature. The body's ability to rehydrate depends greatly on the consistency of the fluids that are consumed, not their temperature. You can use a half gallon water jug to hydrate yourself wherever you go. 

The risks of consuming cold water

If drinking water is beneficial for you, is there such a thing as too much good? Yes, drinking too much cold water might be dangerous in some cases. Water plays numerous crucial roles in your body, according to Harvard Health Publishing, including maintaining a regular blood pressure and heart rate and cushioning your joints. 

There are no proven, concrete risks associated with drinking cold water. Regardless of the water's temperature, if you drink excessive amounts of water to lose weight quickly, you run the risk of becoming dehydrated to the point where you develop hyponatremia, or low blood sodium.

However, if you have a condition like thyroid disease, kidney, liver, or heart issues, or if you take medication that makes you retain water, you could require less water. 

Digestion and Cold Water

While drinking cold water can undoubtedly help you stay hydrated and work out more effectively, it's actually not the best choice for digestion. If there is ever a time to drink warm water, it is when you are experiencing constipation. This is so because food digests more quickly in warm water than in cold. This is not to mean that you should always drink warm water with meals. Most people can easily drink cold water and properly digest their meals. However, it's a good idea to switch that glass of ice water out for one that is room temperature or warmer if you are aware that you struggle with digestion.