Water is essential to life. How many times have you been exercising, playing a sport or simply sweating on a hot day and reached for a nice cold glass of water? And what happens when you chug back a glass or two of some refreshing ice-cold water? It usually hits the bottom of your stomach like a rock and then sloshes around causing discomfort.
Drinking very cold liquid can be problematic. The sudden exposure to a cold temperature signals the body to focus more energy to warming it up. This means energy will be shunted away from your extremities that you may need to continue exercising or participate in your sport. It also means less energy is available for proper digestion of food being consumed.
If we allow water to reach a warmer temperature, we will be able to absorb it more efficiently. We do not need to heat the water. It can simply be room temperature or slightly below. Cool water is fine because the body will be able to warm it up enough on it’s journey down the esophagus.
So try to resist that temptation to drink a glass of water that’s been in the fridge for hours. Your body will thank you and will hydrate much better.
I now make it a habit that before I work out, I get a big glass of water out of the water cooler and just let it sit on the counter.
When I’m, done and want to mix in some protein for a post work out drink, the water has warmed up enough that it not only mixes better with the protein powder, but goes down better as well.
Better to pour the cold water over you than in you after exercise