Drinking icy cold water isprobably one of the most unnatural things we do. Even though it is profoundlydamaging to our health, Americans fill their drinks to the brim with ice. It’s everywhere, restaurants, hospitals, andmost homes. So why is it damaging to ourhealth, and why is it so difficult to stop? And why is hot water better foryou?
From a western standpointdrinking icy drinks and food causes blood vessels to constrict, hindering ourability to absorb nutrients. And wedon’t get sufficiently hydrated when the blood vessels constrict. We waste tremendous energy regulating ourcore temperature. Icy water wears away teeth enamel and tiny cracks form in ourteeth. Drinking cold water after ameal creates excess mucus in your body.
Cold watercan exacerbate asthma symptoms in children, according to a study by the EuropeanSociety of Pediatrics. Another study found that often people experience aheadache after drinking ice water.
The Chinese believe that all food and drinks should be taken at normalbody temperature, or 100 degrees or greater, because cold foods weaken theSpleen and Stomach. In TCM (traditionalChinese medicine), the Spleen needs a moderate temperature in order to functionproperly. One major function of the Spleen is transformation of food andnutrients to allow for the formation of Qi and Blood which is distributed it toall organs and tissue of the body. Ahealthy Spleen is essential for fighting infection. Holding blood in thevessels, holding the organs in place, and keeping the tissue strong is the‘holding function.’ Bruising or otherchronic bleeding, such as wet macular degeneration, bulging or herniated discs,and prolapse of organs are examples of what can happen when the Spleens holdingfunction doesn’t hold up.
Like the Spleen, your stomachis comfortable at 98.6 degrees or warmer. After we ingest ice water, the Stomach attempts to warm up by drawingheat from the lower body, causing poor circulation and cold below thewaist. The acupuncture meridianassociated with the Stomach starts in the bottom of the eye, traverses the face,sinuses and teeth. The heat in theStomach rises up, causing esophageal reflux, chronic sinusitis, headaches, eyedisorders and problems with the teeth.
Furthermore,ingesting cold water creates moisture or “dampness.” Bacteria, candida, and parasites thrive indamp areas, especially in your stomach and uterus. A TCM concept, Dampnessoccurs when the body is too weak to produce nutrients, and instead producesmoisture and phlegm. Phlegm is a broad concept in TCM and includes theformation of substances such as adipose tissue, fatty tumors, bone spurs,kidney and gallbladder stones, plaques in the arteries, eyes, brain and othertissues.
Drinking cold water becomes ahabit. We cool down the Stomach, and heat is generated in an attempt to obtainequilibrium, leaving the Stomach too hot which causes a desire for more colddrinks. A vicious cycle develops.
Consumingcold drinks is not the norm in most countries around the world. While we often receive a glass of ice coldwater alongside our meals at a restaurant, in China you would get a cup ofsteaming hot tea instead. Even when the weather is hot and humid, many Chinesecarry thermoses filled with hot water. Even soft drinks are taken at roomtemperature.
Hot Drinks Can Cool You Down Better Than Cold Ones
If you’refeeling reluctant to give up ice cold drinks, consider that warm beverages havebeen proven to help you cool down more effectively than cold ones. According to a report from NPR, “The hotdrink somehow has an effect on your systemic cooling mechanisms.”
Drinking aglass of warm water in the morning helps kick-start the digestive system and aidsblood circulation. Even when sufferingfrom heat stroke, drinking hot tea or water helps the body relax, calm down,and cool itself down. Cold water will create more heat, not allowing the bodyto cool down sufficiently.
Cold waterslows down organ function and causes muscles to contract. Warm water helps to increase bloodcirculation, helping to reduce painful contractions of muscles and relievessore joints. Sore throat? Drink some warm water. Menstrual cramps? Stopdrinking cold stuff and switch to some hot water.
Theorgans of young children are delicate. After consuming too much cold food (coldmilk, ice cream, sandwiches, salads) and cold water/juices, they develop allkinds of digestion problems, sinus problem, allergies, hay fever and asthma.
Excessivedrinking of cold water also affects the development and physiological functionsof the reproductive system. For young women, it can cause menstrual cramps,menstrual disorders & excessive discharge. Overaccumulation of cold createsa “chilled palace” which is an extremely cold uterus, ovaries, ovarian tube& leads to overgrowth of dampness (CANDIDA, PARASITES), fibroids, ovariancysts, tumors, dysmenorrhea, infertility.
Benefits to Drinking Warm or Room TemperatureWater
- Faster, increasedhydration
- Natural digestiveenzymes are stimulated and therefore your digestion is enhanced
- Food breaks down moreeasily
- Your bowels movebetter
How do we stop? We slowlywean ourselves of this addiction, using less and less ice, then no ice, thengetting used to warm water, maybe with a little lemon.
