Hot vs Cold?

The human digestive system works better with foods and liquids that are at warmer temperatures because it doesn't have to work as hard to digest the food. Cold foods can shock the digestive system and make your gut work overtime. It’s also much harder to gulp down hot food, while eating slowly signals to your brain that you are consuming a substantial meal – so your brain suppresses your appetite for longer once you’ve finished your meal.

Typically, we are drawn to hot foods compared to cold and raw foods due to the link between smell and taste. Our olfactory needs the stimulation of airborne particles to switch on all parts of the brain and digestive system in preparation of eating.

Hot food does tend to make you feel full for longer, and this is because it increases the time it takes for your appetite to return. Freshly cooked food has more flavour because of the volatile organic compounds that are released, and this extra stimulation makes the food feel more satisfying than the same nutrients eaten cold; and it can give you a feeling of light body and mind.

Many people have observed how their digestion starts to immediately improve when they make the switch from cold to warm water and from raw food to warm meals.

Why? The digestive system is thought of as a fire (agni) in Ayurveda. Like any fire, the digestive system also gets “extinguished” when we toss cold substances into it.

What are the benefits of drinking hot water vs cold water? Some people claim that hot water specifically can help improve digestion, relieve congestion, and even promote relaxation, compared with drinking cold water. Either way, drinking water, hot or cold, keeps your body healthy and hydrated. Both water temperatures have their own pros that can be extremely beneficial to your body. Cold water helps regulate, refresh and cool down your body temperature, especially after workouts and during the hot summer season. Warm water, on the other hand, can increase blood flow and kickstart your metabolism.

For the most part, your body will guide you to the best option for your hydration needs at the time. Just keep in mind that the important thing is to stay hydrated at all times, regardless of the temperature of the water you drink.