6 Ways Drinking Hot Water Helps Your Body
Staying hydrated is an essential part of staying healthy. Every part of your body counts on water to function properly, like improving your skin, lubricating your joints and regulating body temperature, to name a few. Most people only drink cold or room temperature water to hydrate, but what about hot water? It comes with surprising benefits.
Here’s why drinking hot water is good for you:
1. Decongestion
When you get sick, you often get congested in your nose, head and chest—this is how your body fights back against sickness. Hot water can sooth your mucous membranes in these areas and loosen up any congestion. Plus, the steam from hot drinks will help clear your sinuses.
2. Better circulation
Heat warms your body and helps blood flow throughout your body. Better circulation may lower blood pressure and reduce risk of heart disease. Having a cup or two of hot water is an easy way to get your blood flowing.
3. Weight loss
Your body cools itself when you drink hot water, which may kickstart your metabolism and help you lose weight.
4. Easier digestion
Drinking water plays a big part in your digestive system. When you drink water that’s hot, it helps break down food you’ve eaten and may relieve constipation and sooth pain you’re experiencing.
5. Reduces stress
Drinking hot water may soothe your central nervous system and may make you feel less stressed for the day. It’s similar to the relaxing feeling you get when you take a bath.
6. Removes toxins
Drinking hot water can make your body sweat. This isn’t a bad thing, though—sweat naturally helps get rid of toxins and irritants that are in your body.
You can get some similar benefits from other hot drinks, but drinking water is ideal since it has no calories and works the best to hydrate you. Be careful not to burn your mouth by drinking water that’s too hot, though. If you’re looking to build better habits like losing weight or reducing stress, our Online Health Coach can help you set goals and track your progress. Standard and Basic Option members may be eligible to earn rewards for completing certain Online Health Coach goals.
