Key takeaways

How many times have you heard people say, “A glass of warm water is a surefire remedy for weight loss”?

Almost everyone has a relative or friend who starts their day by boiling water on the stove, filling a thermos, and sipping it plain or flavoured with herbs and spices.

In fact, our bodies may be 70 percent water, but what water does for us is 100 percent beyond compare.

According to Ayurveda, Jal (water) is one of the Pancha Mahabhutas (five fundamental elements) and is essential to maintaining a healthy balance among different doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha).

With adequate intake, water ensures your hunger doesn't overwhelm you, fatigue doesn't touch you, and your energy levels stay steady throughout the day.

Staying hydrated is one of the easiest ways to keep fit and healthy.

But does drinking hot water really benefit our health?

In the next few minutes, as you go through this article, you will see how you can use this simple, plain liquid to stay fit and say bye-bye to your health problems.

What are the benefits of drinking hot water?

Hot water is the unsung hero of good health and vitality. Here are 11 amazing benefits of drinking hot water:

1. Improves digestion & controls appetite

Hot or warm water temperature helps the digestive system break down food more easily, absorb nutrients, and process the fats from food efficiently.

Having hot water before meals creates a feeling of fullness. This eliminates any sudden hunger pangs and prevents unnecessary snacking.

It also flushes out the toxins^[1] accumulated in the body through sweat and urine, as well as softens the stools.

This is one of the best benefits of drinking hot water in the morning.

2. May help lose weight

Hot water has no calories, is light, and can manage hunger pangs well.

A 3-month study^[2] drinking warm water after a meal helps lose approximately 3 kg in weight.

3. Eases menstrual cramps

Drinking hot water relaxes the uterus muscles and dulls period pain perception by activating heat receptors in the skin and blocking the pain signals from reaching the brain.

Studies^[4] have shown that drinking hot water during the first three days of their menstrual cycle makes it easier to deal with menstrual cramps.

4. Boosts metabolism

According to research^[3], drinking about 500 ml of water can increase metabolic rate by approximately 30% within 10 minutes.

5. Clears congestion & soothes sore throat

Drinking hot water can loosen mucus that blocks your airways.

Moreover, the steam released from boiling water is the quickest and easiest home remedy for relieving nasal congestion.

Drinking warm water or rinsing your sore throat helps reduce swelling and battle infections.

It also moistens the throat and relieves the dry, sandpapery feeling that makes swallowing difficult.

6. Improves blood circulation

Warm or hot water allows the blood to flow more freely through your body, relaxing and nourishing the heart muscles and supplying the body with more oxygen and nutrients.

7. Relaxes muscles

Hot water, whether consumed or applied as hot water bags, can easily relieve muscle stiffness and tension by increasing blood flow, relaxing the muscles, blocking pain signals, and giving comfort.

8. Supports the immune system

There is a reason why you feel slightly feverish at the first sight of a cold.

Your immune system needs a rise in temperature to fight off harmful viruses and bacteria.

Drink hot water. Your body will thank you.

9. Keeps the mouth fresh

Most dentists recommend rinsing the mouth with warm water and salt.

This restores a slightly alkaline pH in the oral cavity, flushes out harmful bacteria, and removes dirt trapped in the gums.

It also soothes inflammation and is an affordable and easy way to keep the mouth fresh.

10. Makes skin and hair healthy

A study^[5] revealed that consuming almost 3.2 litres of water daily (via food or drinks) improved skin moisture and elasticity.

Drinking warm water also expels toxins that cause breakouts and dull skin.

As drinking hot water increases blood circulation, the hair follicles in your scalp can receive more nutrients.

This strengthens your hair, improves its growth, and makes it shinier.

11. Improves bladder control

The relaxing effect of hot water can also relieve the tensed muscles in the bladder and pelvic area.

A study showed that applying heat (such as hot packs) to the suprapubic (the area above the pubic bone) area can help relieve urinary retention post-surgery.

Who must avoid drinking hot water?

In certain instances, drinking hot water might not be the best thing to do. There are certain health conditions that may worsen by drinking hot water.

Scroll down to know in which cases drinking hot water may prove to be more harmful than helpful.

When is the best time to drink hot water?

If you are wondering when the best time to drink hot or warm water is, we’ve got you covered.

While there is technically no right or wrong time to drink hot water, there are certain times of the day when drinking hot water can help you optimise your health in various ways.

Here is a water ‘time-table’ you can follow at your convenience.

How can you make drinking hot water a habit?

Adopting a new habit can take some time and effort. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun!

Here are some tried and tested ways in which you can make drinking hot water an easy-to-sustain habit:

• Infuse your warm water with sliced lemon, berries, or cucumber. You can add ginger, tulsi (holy basil) leaves, jeera seeds, ajwain seeds, or cinnamon for added health benefits.
• Try replacing your high-calorie sugary drinks with low-calorie options like turmeric water, lemon-honey water, green tea, or any herbal tea you choose.
• Set an hourly reminder to drink water. Drink at least 2-3 litres of water daily.
• If you enjoy detox drinks, add mint leaves, ginger and some fennel (saunf) seeds. You can even include chia seeds for that extra protein, fibre, and nutrients.
• Start small. Replace one cold beverage with warm water each day for 21 days straight. See how your body responds, and increase your intake if comfortable.

Does losing weight just with hot water seem a distant dream? Check out Aktive's health guide to explore more ways to lose weight and discover science-backed weight loss solutions.

Have you tried adding warm water to your routine? We would love to hear from you about the benefits of drinking hot water daily. Share your experience with us on our official Instagram page. Tag us for a shoutout!