Water temperature debate

Cindy393
Cindy393 Posts: 268 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I'd like to hear thoughts on this....I drink at least a gallon of water at work alone.....I like ice water. I've heard people say ice water shocks your system, so it's better to drink lukewarm water. Others say to drink ice water because the cold makes your metabolism work harder to warm your insides.

Does anyone really know the best thing to do, or does it even matter???
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Replies

  • emotionalharlequin
    emotionalharlequin Posts: 83
    Well, this is my personal opinion buuuut I highly doubt it'll matter - if the temperature has any effect on your metabolism then it won't be a significant effect - I imagine it being like the supposed effects of chilli/spices on the metabolism.
    Imo all that matters is that you drink the water. Have in whatever temperature you like, just make sure you drink it (=
  • Phaedra2014
    Phaedra2014 Posts: 1,254 Member
    I drink mine at room temperature because that's just how I like it.
  • davidlbass
    davidlbass Posts: 159 Member
    I'm a room temperature type myself too but that's just how I like to drink it. If you like ice water go for it.
  • SheilaN1976
    SheilaN1976 Posts: 266 Member
    i drink my water ice cold because that is the way i prefer it i honestly dont think it matters much about the temperature of the water itself, but it is interesting to find out for sure.
  • angeeishere
    angeeishere Posts: 89 Member
    Room temp for me...just how I roll....
  • mercymarque
    mercymarque Posts: 450
    I drink it at room temperature. I drink it cold when exercising. I don't think it makes a difference. Drink it how u like it.
  • Moxie42
    Moxie42 Posts: 1,400 Member
    I can't imagine it makes a large enough difference to matter either way. The important thing is that you drink enough of it, which it sounds like you are. Personally I like it cold and wouldn't be able to choke down 8+ glasses at room temp.
  • AngryDiet
    AngryDiet Posts: 1,349 Member
    Now this is a first world problem if I've ever seen one.

    OK OK. Most people don't seem to drink enough water. If you drink it the way you like it, you're more likely to drink it. So that's the way you should drink it.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,422 Member
    There was a whole ten page debate about this on MFP just recently, and some scientists took it to task to post the calculations for exactly how many more calories were used to warm ice water to body temp....it was infinitesimal....like very few ....you could try to find that thread.

    Drink it the way you like it..all the other alarmist/extreme thinking on this is just silly. The "shock" to your system is about as bad as washing your hands in cold water.
  • ChristyRunStarr
    ChristyRunStarr Posts: 1,600 Member
    From what I've been told (from people I know, not here) the only time it can shock your system is when you're working out or running and drink cold water.

    I myself can only drink my water if it's ice cold yet when I work out, if it's that cold I can't drink it-it's too cold so I do room temp. If you're drinking water, that's the important thing
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    The difference in calories/metabolism for drinking cold water is negligible.

    I don't know about the shock to your system... The only time I've ever heard not to drink cold water is when you have a cough/cold because it can irritate that "tickle". Better to drink warm or hot and soothe your throat.

    So, drink it however you like! My only caution is to make sure you're not drinking too much. I'm not one to hype up overhydration but, If your pee is clear, you've had enough.
  • pixtotts
    pixtotts Posts: 552 Member
    i dont think it matters... i end up with luke warm 90% of the time... but prefer ice cold... i like the idea that it makes you burn more calories... and most importantly tastes better!! lol ... and then hot water to suppress appetite... x
  • ladyluch99
    ladyluch99 Posts: 264 Member
    I personally prefer my water room temperature. However, I've heard that it's good to drink at least 16 oz of ice cold water in the mornings before you start your day to rev your metabolism. Whether or not that is true, I don't know but I do it sometimes.
  • ewl6850
    ewl6850 Posts: 158 Member
    Room temperature. 64-128oz/day
  • sarahharmintx
    sarahharmintx Posts: 868 Member
    I drink mine at room temperature because that's just how I like it.
    I dont notice any difference in my appetite or weight loss when I switch from cold to room temp. I doubt it would make a significant difference.
  • jensweighingin
    jensweighingin Posts: 168 Member
    I like ice in cold water from the fridge. I only drink it room temperature if I have to.
  • bsuew
    bsuew Posts: 628 Member
    I'm not sure if it really makes any difference as long as you drink it. I just like water and drink at least a gallon a day.
  • Linda_Darlene
    Linda_Darlene Posts: 453 Member
    Drink it which ever way you prefer!
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    For water, I'll say it's irrelevant. If you were drinking a sports drink then yes, it does need to get up to temperature before your body needs to break it down, but the amounts are minimal. We're talking about 5 calories per gram of sugar. Insignificant.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    100 kJ is 24 cal.
    400 is 96 cal.

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14671205

    Drinking lots of water is commonly espoused in weight loss regimens and is regarded as healthy; however, few systematic studies address this notion. In 14 healthy, normal-weight subjects (seven men and seven women), we assessed the effect of drinking 500 ml of water on energy expenditure and substrate oxidation rates by using whole-room indirect calorimetry. The effect of water drinking on adipose tissue metabolism was assessed with the microdialysis technique. Drinking 500 ml of water increased metabolic rate by 30%. The increase occurred within 10 min and reached a maximum after 30-40 min. The total thermogenic response was about 100 kJ. About 40% of the thermogenic effect originated from warming the water from 22 to 37 C. In men, lipids mainly fueled the increase in metabolic rate. In contrast, in women carbohydrates were mainly used as the energy source. The increase in energy expenditure with water was diminished with systemic beta-adrenoreceptor blockade. Thus, drinking 2 liters of water per day would augment energy expenditure by approximately 400 kJ. Therefore, the thermogenic effect of water should be considered when estimating energy expenditure, particularly during weight loss programs.

    For purpose of use during a workout? Common advice.
    http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/12/nutrition/coaches-panel-which-is-better-warm-or-cold-water_101908
  • MommaKit79
    MommaKit79 Posts: 852
    I have heard the same thing numerous times but, i really dont think it matters. Agreed that if you drink it how you like it, you'll drink more of it. I like it ice cold in the summer and just cold most of the rest of the year. I can deal with COLD water out of the fridge but during the summer, i still have to add ICE to it. :-)

    To each their own!! :-)
  • Culley34
    Culley34 Posts: 224
    The water isn't going to really shock your metabolism. In terms of ice cold water -- you're body does need to heat it up, but the amount of calories burned to do so (~10-15) is pretty insubstantial.

    I find that I lose weight the fastest when I drink the most water, but that's just me.
    I'd like to hear thoughts on this....I drink at least a gallon of water at work alone.....I like ice water. I've heard people say ice water shocks your system, so it's better to drink lukewarm water. Others say to drink ice water because the cold makes your metabolism work harder to warm your insides.

    Does anyone really know the best thing to do, or does it even matter???
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Other than personal preference, it doesn't matter.
  • scucap010
    scucap010 Posts: 1
    On extreme makeover: weight loss edition, Chris Powell said that cold water can help you hydrate faster, while warm water fills you up more.
  • kenazfehu
    kenazfehu Posts: 1,188 Member
    Drink 'em if ya got 'em!
  • Deipneus
    Deipneus Posts: 1,861 Member
    Drink it whichever way you prefer. I can find no scientific evidence that one temperature is better for you than another. Of course, there are lots of websites making claims. These websites also sell books, pills and creams.
  • Tarin626
    Tarin626 Posts: 101 Member
    The only time it is dangerous to drink ice water (that it "shocks" your system) is if you are over heated or experiencing heat stroke - then you need to bring your temp down and yes the ice water is too much of a difference. I know when I am overheated that ice water makes me feel sick and want to vomit but lukewarm will make me feel better.

    You body does need to heat the ice water to use it but the calories spent on it are minimal and not really a metabolism "booster"

    Drink what you like!!!
  • pithole
    pithole Posts: 75 Member
    Straight from the tap.
  • sh4690
    sh4690 Posts: 169 Member
    Ice water will cool your core temperature a tiny little bit.. and your body will naturally heat it up, I wouldn't say it would have a dramatic effect on calorie burning however. Possibly 1 or 2 cals.

    If that's the way you like it, just drink it like that :)

    x
  • T1mH
    T1mH Posts: 568 Member
    The only time it is dangerous to drink ice water (that it "shocks" your system) is if you are over heated or experiencing heat stroke - then you need to bring your temp down and yes the ice water is too much of a difference. I know when I am overheated that ice water makes me feel sick and want to vomit but lukewarm will make me feel better.

    You body does need to heat the ice water to use it but the calories spent on it are minimal and not really a metabolism "booster"

    Drink what you like!!!
    Yup that's what I was going to say. When your body is at the extremes it can shock your system. So if your overheating and I mean serious overheating like heat stroke or heat exhaustion then don't drink ice water. When it's cold outside and you eat snow to get water it takes a lot of calories for you body to melt the snow and if your in a survival type situation without adequate food it can be very dangerous. I think it's from these extremes comes the advice to not drink ice cold water.

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