ADVERTISEMENT
Healthy Diet Plans >>  Health Food >>  Warm Water

Warm Water Health Benefits


Whether you prefer cold or warm water, fitness gurus and health experts constantly stress the health benefits of drinking water. Recommendations suggest that you drink at least eight glasses of water per day. It is unknown if warm water benefits trump the effects of cold water. However, experts and home remedies do suggest that warm water health benefits range from soothing a cold to losing weight and from preventing muscle pains to providing healthy, acne free skin. Perhaps the most amazing point is the calorie content of water.
Pure water without any additives contains zero calories. This is why doctors and dietitians recommend replacing other liquid beverages in favor of water. Does alkaline water prove more beneficial than plain water? In recent years, much discussion about the nutritional benefits of alkaline water may have taken place without any conclusive answers. Alkaline water certainly contains a higher pH level than regular tap water and may help to balance acid levels in the body. Other properties assigned to alkaline water include boosting the immune system, anti-aging, and increasing metabolism and energy levels.

Warm Water Nutrition Facts


Nutrients in warm water may not show any significant difference from nutrients in generic or cold water. Water is a zero calorie, healthy drink that is essential for various body functions. Again, warm water nutrition facts may not vary from generic water. However, water does show certain essential minerals in varying proportions, depending on the source of water. In certain regions, soil conditions may determine traces of calcium, iron or magnesium in the water.

Drinking Warm Water:

In The Morning:

Many home remedies stress on the advantages of warm water in the morning. Admittedly, this is difficult to follow for first timers. Drinking warm water in the morning may initially cause discomfort and nausea, but you will get used to it eventually.

Some benefits include:

  • Warm water helps to flush out the intestinal system and improve bowel movement.
  • It stimulates the stomach organ and other glands and prepares the body for its first meal of the day, i.e., breakfast.
  • Warm water taken in the morning may also help flush the kidneys of excess stomach acids.

Before Bed:

Taking warm water before sleeping may help the body rehydrate and replenish the liquids it has lost during the day’s activities. Warm water also helps your muscles relax and soothes your nerves. It may thus help to eliminate insomnia and provide restful sleep. Many individuals prefer to drink warm tea before bedtime, which helps them relax. However, caffeine in tea may work adversely for other individuals and keep them awake longer. Drinking warm water before going to bed may also help your body flush out toxins while you sleep. You will wake up rejuvenated and fresh. A glass of warm water at bedtime allows your body to regain lost electrolytes and minerals. Individuals on a weight loss plan may notice the metabolism boosting properties of drinking warm water before bedtime. Warm water may also help stave off midnight hunger pangs.

After Meal:

Many cultures encourage sipping warm tea throughout the meal to aid better digestion. Benefits of warm water after lunch may include aiding better digestion, increasing metabolism, and washing down the meal you have eaten. Additionally, advantages of drinking warm water after meals may increase weight loss. While there is no proven science to indicate that warm water after meals may help you lose calories, drinking a glass of warm water may satisfy your hunger and fill you up. It is a zero calorie fluid, and this should allow you to eat your recommended portion of meal without being tempted to go in for seconds. Warm water after a greasy meal may help you wash down rich, heavy foods and aid digestion faster. You may also consider drinking a cup of warm tea or soup after meals to stimulate your digestive glands.

After Exercise:

How often do you reach out for energy drinks or shakes to rehydrate yourself after a workout? You should consider including the benefits of warm water after workout to your post exercise routine. Your body loses a ton of essential fluids through sweating during the course of your workout. It also depletes its reserves of vitamins and minerals post exercise. Without water, you are in serious danger of dehydration and fatigue. Warm water helps to replace the fluids lost during workout. Additionally, warm water may continue the calorie burning process triggered by your intensive workout long after you stop exercising. Studies suggest that warm water charges an increase in metabolism. Drinking warm water post exercise will also help you stay on track with your diet. Fitness enthusiasts may often confuse thirst with hunger. Drinking a glass of warm water after exercise fills you up so that you do not overeat.

Weight Loss:

Along with diet and exercise, drinking warm water for weight loss enables a boost in your body’s metabolism. Regularly drinking warm water helps to rehydrate, discourages unhealthy snacking habits, and aids better digestion. Diet and fitness experts highly recommend drinking lemon and warm water for weight loss. A squeeze of lemon in warm water adds both antiseptic and digestive properties. Lemon and warm water for weight loss works by regulating stomach acids, promoting digestion, and providing remedies for disorders such as heartburn, bloating and acidity. It also acts as a cleanser and flushes out excess acids and toxins. For individuals suffering from diabetes, warm water and lemon mixture may help regulate blood sugar levels and fight against obesity.

Digestion:

One of the main steps to better digestion includes drinking warm water regularly. How does warm water for digestion work? Drinking warm water helps build a healthy digestive system. It stimulates the digestive glands to function optimally. It helps the body get rid of excess stomach acids and neutralizes digestive juices. Consuming warm water after meals helps to wash down the food and accelerate your metabolism. Drinking warm water also supports digestive activity and allows the body to absorb essential nutrients. Regulating your bowel movement is another important benefit of warm water for digestion.

Cough:

Honey and warm water for cough is a traditional form of cough suppressant. In some clinical studies, individuals who were administered a mixture of honey and warm water found soothing relief from cough. In fact, patients found as much relief from nighttime cough and sleeplessness after taking honey and warm water as compared to patients on a cough expectorant. Natural remedies such as honey and warm water for cough have fewer side effects as compared to antibiotics. Therefore, they maybe administered to children (over the age of two) and elderly. Additionally, the traditional medicine is cheaper and easily available than most over the counter medication. Honey and warm water also provide excellent benefits to soothe a sore throat and other respiratory infections. Another use of warm water during cold and flu season involves using a mixture of salt and warm water to gargle. Individuals may find instant relief from an itchy, sore throat. Other herbal cures for cough and cold include drinking warm water with few drops of lemon juice or warm tea with honey. Lemon juice provides ample vitamin C to fight against cold viruses. Honey also contains essential nutrients to boost the body’s immune system.

Arthritis:

It is well known that a warm water bath soothes and relaxes muscle spasms, joint pains and any cramps or inflammations. You may use warm water for arthritis in the form of hot water bottles or hot water bags to relieve pain and discomfort. Warm water bathtubs may also provide an excellent area to exercise your arthritic joints and limbs. The warm water bath will soften the effects of exercise and soothe your nerves. Stress plays a huge role in triggering arthritis pain. Exercising gently in a warm pool may help you de-stress, reducing the risk of arthritis. Warm water also allows better circulation of blood.

Skin:

Warm water for skin works inside out to help maintain skin follicle health. Drinking warm water for skin helps to cleanse the body of toxins, which usually manifest themselves as acne or breakouts. Your skin is one more indicator of your digestive health. Warm water helps regulate your digestion and clear away the waste material from your body. A healthy, radiant skin usually emphasizes a clear digestive system. Your mantra should read: drink eight glasses of water (warm or otherwise) per day for healthy skin. For teenagers and young adults, warm water for acne remedies helps to keep the skin clear of bacteria and unclog the pores. It is also the best moisturizer for a parched skin. Washing your face with warm water and a gentle cleanser will help you maintain acne free skin. Is it safe to use warm water for burns? Depending on the nature of burns, you are better off using room temperature water rather than cold or warm water. Minor burns or bruises maybe washed with tepid water. If you are suffering from sunburn or blisters, warm water may cause discomfort. Test the water in a small portion for comfortable temperature before immersing the affected area.

There are a few warm water health risks that an individual must pay attention to:

  • Warm water acts as a diuretic. This means that if you drink a constant supply of warm water, you may experience frequent urination. Holding your bowels or urine may cause discomfort and may even back up the toxins in your body causing potential harm.
  • While drinking eight glasses of warm water is a good idea, drinking more than the recommended amount of warm water may make you feel bloated and uncomfortable. Individuals also complain of nausea after drinking too much water.
  • Drinking too much warm water in a short period of time may lead to shortness of breath, distended stomach, and in some rare cases, fatalities.

Tips for Drinking:

When To Drink:

Although many experts and articles suggest that the recommended intake should be at least eight glasses of warm water, it is best to rely on the signals that your body sends. Drink water whenever you feel thirsty.

  • Drink warm water especially before and after meals.
  • Drink warm water during and post workouts to rehydrate yourself.
  • In summer months when you experience heat and sweating, it is a good idea to sip on warm water to replenish fluids.
  • If you are suffer from a bout of vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to sip on warm water to rehydrate yourself.
  • Another clear indicator that you need to drink water is observing the clarity of your urine. If it seems less than clear, it is a sign that your body needs to replenish more fluids.
How Much To Drink:

This may differ for different individuals. Climate, physical activity, diet, and exercise are just some of the reasons why quantity or frequency of drinking water may differ. Foods that are naturally rich in water include fruits and vegetables, grains and cooked lentils and legumes. If your diet consists of juicy fruits and vegetables, you may not require more than the recommended quantity of water per day. Consuming less sodium may also decrease the need for excess water. Foods that are rich in dietary fiber also help digestion, diminishing the need for excess water. A warm climate or excess sweating may necessitate drinking more water than usual.
Submitted on January 16, 2014