Water is the elixir of life. Almost 50 percent of the human body consists of water. Drinking water, hot or cold, keeps your body healthy and hydrated. 

Drinking warm water every day on a regular basis will help the body to break down fat deposits, relax muscles, and increase blood flow. Some people claim that hot water specifically can help improve digestion to relieve congestion and also increases blood circulation which can rejuvenate skin cells and keep them nourished. 

Hot beverages, such as coffee or tea, are often served at near boiling temperatures, not necessary for a person to risk a burn to gain the benefits of hot water. When drinking hot beverages follow the recommended optimal temperature of between 130° and 160° (54 and 71°C) temperature. 

Some of the health benefits of hot water consumption could be enlisted as : 

May relieve nasal congestion  - A cup of hot water creates steam. Holding a cup of hot water and inhaling gentle vapour may help loosen clogged sinuses and even relieve a sinus headache and may help warm and soothe a sore throat caused by mucus buildup.

May aid digestion - When a person does not drink enough water, the small intestine absorbs most of the water consumed through food and drinking. This causes dehydration and can make it more difficult to have a bowel movement. Drinking hot water helps to break down food faster than drinking cold or warm water. It reduces the risk of constipation by supporting regular bowel movements.

Body detoxification - Hot water might help the body detoxify. When water is hot enough to raise a person’s body temperature, it can cause sweating which in turn expels toxins and can help clean the pores.

Improves circulation - Hot water is a vasodilator, meaning it expands the blood vessels and improves circulation which helps muscles relax and reduce pain.

May help relieve symptoms of achalasia - A condition in which the oesophagus has trouble moving food down into the stomach, with achalasia swallowing or the feeling of food stuck in the throat commonly known as dysphagia is found to be relieved by drinking warm water and help people with achalasia digest more comfortably.

Other benefits of intake of hotwater  

  • Eliminate spicy taste faster - The spicy taste sensation is gestated from food using chilli seeds, the chemical complex is called capsaicin. This will dissolve in hot water, so after drinking hot water, you will feel more comfortable and slowly the spicy effect will disappear.
  • Reduces shivering in the cold - the body’s natural response in cold conditions is to shiver, drinking warm fluids can help reduce shivering. 
  • Weight loss -  It may partially be because drinking water increases feelings of fullness. Water also helps the body absorb nutrients, and it flushes out waste. Consumption of 500ml of water before a meal increased metabolism by 30 per cent whereas raising the water temperature to 98.6 degrees accounted for 40 per cent of the increase in metabolism.
  • Reduced stress - A soothing cup of hot water may help people manage stress and anxiety.

Potential risks of intake of hot water : 

  • Hot water can scald and cause burn injuries
  • Hot water can also injure internal linings
  • Hot water has more contaminants when consumed directly from the tap

It can be harmful if it is full of toxins, such as lead and other contaminants and also injure the insides of the gut and digestive system. It can scald the tongue easily.

Conclusion : We cannot live without water so from now on love your body to always consume warm water. Although drinking hot water wouldn't cure any ailments and as long the water isn't too hot, the risk is minimal. So people who already enjoy warm water or who want to try simple methods to improve their health should feel confident that they are benefiting and one of which is to prevent dehydration.

Consume water according to individual needs. Developing the habit of drinking hot water is easy. Start the day with a cup of boiled water, left to cool for a while. If you’re not a tea or coffee drinker, try hot water with lemon. Drinking warm water before bed is a great way to have you sleep soundly knowing the benefits of it.  

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