Don't Drink Ice Cold Water in the Heat

What? Why? And what should you drink for maximum hydration?

As the sun beats down and temperatures soar during this sweltering summer, one of the worst things you can do to quench your thirst is drink a glass of water filled with ice—or any beverage chilled with ice. Why?

Well, from a Western scientific standpoint, drinking icy cold beverages causes blood vessels to contract. This tightening of vessels physically hinders our ability to absorb nutrients and allow water to enter our cells for proper hydration. If we don’t get enough hydration, our blood vessels constrict, leading to high blood pressure.
So, as you can see, there is a double peril when it comes to
In addition, ice-filled drinks wear away tooth enamel, and also cause excess mucus in our body.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is taught that cold beverages and foods weaken the spleen and stomach. The spleen plays a vital role in transforming nutrients and supporting the formation of Qi and blood.

If you’re still reluctant to give up ice-cold drinks, consider that research done by neurobiologists has proven that warm beverages help you cool down more effectively than cold ones. According to Peter McNaughton of Cambridge University, "The hot drink somehow has an effect on your systemic cooling mechanisms, which exceeds its actual effect in terms of heating your body,"
Basically, there are nerve cells, or receptors, on our tongue and digestive tract that will signal our brain, which then sends a cue to our internal cooling system to dissipate heat (by sweating) when the receptors sense warm or hot drinks entering the body.

Here are a few Benefits to Drinking Warm or Room Temperature Water/or Herbal Teas:

·      Faster and more efficient hydration on a cellular level

·      Digestive enzymes are stimulated, which enhances digestion

·      Food breaks down more easily

·      Your bowels move better

Three Thirst-Quenching and Nourishing Recipes:

Chrysanthemum Tea, Lemon & Sea Salt Water, Cucumber Water

Chrysanthemum Tea
Chrysanthemum flowers may help reduce hypertension and contain minerals and antioxidants.
2 Tablespoons flower
8 – 10 oz. filtered water
Bring water to a boil and pour over the flowers. Steep for 10 minutes.
Strain and sip slowly.
(Where to get organic Chrysanthemum Flowers:
  Etsy or Star West Botanicals)

Lemon and Sea Salt Water
The lemon will provide a good dose of vitamin C, while the sea salt helps to replenish electrolytes lost in excessive sweating during hot days.
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
8 oz. filter water, room temperature
Pinch (1/16 teaspoon) of sea salt
(I recommend Celtic Sea Salt)
Mix well and enjoy the flavor as it hydrates your body.

Cucumber Water,
Cucumber is 95% water and is high in potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
4 – 5 slices of cucumber
8 – 10 oz. filtered water, room temperature
Allow the cucumber slices to steep for about 10 minutes, then drink.
You can also eat the cucumber slices too.


References:
Palca, Joe. 2012. “Cool Down With a Hot Drink? It’s Not as Crazy as You Think.” NPR, July 11, 2012. https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2012/07/11/156378713/cool-down-with-a-hot-drink-its-not-as-crazy-as-you-think.

Morris NB, Jay O. Staying warm in the cold with a hot drink: The role of visceral thermoreceptors. Temperature (Austin). 2017 Mar 2;4(2):123-125. doi: 10.1080/23328940.2017.1299667. PMID: 28680927; PMCID: PMC5489010.

Watson, Kathryn. 2024. “10 Benefits of Drinking Hot Water.” Healthline. February 8, 2024. https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-drinking-hot-water.