A New Secret to Longevity? Experts Recommend Drinking Warm Water Over Cold

10.02.2026 - 10:20

Source: https://www.vogue.com/article/drinking-h...

Health trends, which are gaining momentum across the globe, are often redefined by the fusion of age-old traditions and contemporary science. The practice of consuming warm water, which has been creating quite a buzz on digital platforms of late, offers benefits that extend far beyond being just a social media fad. This ritual, deeply ingrained in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), holds significance in today's advanced medical landscape, catering to a broad spectrum of systems from digestive to nervous. Specialists underscore that trading icy beverages for warm ones could signal a pivotal shift for the body's biological rhythm.

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According to experts in Traditional Chinese Medicine, consuming warm water is seen not merely as a beverage choice, but rather as a "strategy for longevity".

According to this discipline, the digestive organs located at the center of the body operate with a 'digestive fire'. Warm water takes on the role of a fundamental fuel that stokes this fire, optimizing the breakdown of food and the absorption of nutrients. Thanks to the heat's vasodilating effect, the smooth muscles in the gastrointestinal tract relax, and the flow of life energy, known as 'Qi', accelerates.

In contrast, consuming ice-cold water is akin to a thermal shock for the body. When a cold liquid reaches the stomach, the body has to suspend the digestive process and expend a significant amount of energy to bring this liquid to body temperature. If this situation becomes chronic, it can lead to a weakening of the digestive system, severe bloating, and a chronic fatigue experienced after meals.

The benefits of warm water are also being scientifically substantiated in the realm of Western medicine.

Warm liquids cleanse the body from stress by activating the 'rest and digest' (parasympathetic) mode in the nervous system. This process does more than just relax the digestive tract. It also facilitates the removal of waste from the body by increasing bowel mobility. Particularly during periods when metabolism slows down, warm water serves as a natural detox mechanism, aiding in the expulsion of 'internal moisture' and toxins from the body.

Another critical advantage of warm water is its ability to enhance hydration quality. Many individuals report that consuming liquids above room temperature is much easier, leading them to drink more water by the end of the day. Moreover, this habit is recommended as a natural soothing remedy for painful conditions such as abdominal cramps, thanks to its antispasmodic properties.

Experts also have a warning about warm water.

Despite the innumerable benefits, experts do not fail to issue a caution: The temperature of the water should not be scalding. It's pointed out that excessively warm water can prematurely trigger stomach acid, especially in individuals with sensitive stomachs. The aim should be a peaceful warmth that will soothe the body. In conclusion, starting the day with a glass of warm water emerges as the simplest and most cost-effective health investment offered by ancient wisdom to modern life.