For many people, drinking cold water is a hard habit to break, especially on hot summer days. When the body is dehydrated and you feel thirsty, drinking cold water can help fluids absorb into the bloodstream faster than usual, soothing your thirst. However, this practice also carries several potential health risks.

There are certain times when you should avoid drinking cold water to prevent harm to your health.

Do not drink cold water right after being out in the sun
When you've just returned from being under the hot sun, you should avoid drinking cold water. Doing so at this time can lead to issues related to your throat. Cold water can dry out the mucus layer that protects the throat lining. This creates favorable conditions for bacteria and viruses to harm the body, potentially leading to nasal, throat, or digestive illnesses. Moreover, if the quality of the ice used is not guaranteed, it may negatively affect the drinker's health.

There are times when drinking cold water can be harmful to your health.

Avoid drinking cold water during exercise
When you exercise, your body generates heat, sweats, and both pores and blood vessels expand. At this time, it's best to avoid cold drinks. Cold water can suddenly lower your body temperature, causing blood vessels and pores to constrict quickly, disrupting the body’s cooling and sweating process. To rehydrate, it's better to drink water at room temperature.

Do not drink cold water while eating hot food



Many people drink cold water while eating hot food to cool down. However, cold water reduces blood flow to the digestive system, leading to bloating. Consuming hot food and cold drinks at the same time can harm the stomach and intestines.

Avoid cold water when you have the flu or a cold
If you have a cold or the flu, you should not drink cold water. Cold water can slow down your recovery, increase mucus production in the nose, and hinder breathing. Instead, drink warm water or herbal teas to boost your immune system.

Avoid cold water during menstruation
For women on their period, cold foods and drinks such as ice water are not ideal choices. Drinking cold water during this time can worsen menstrual cramps.

When returning from hot outdoor weather, you should rest for a while to allow your body to cool down before drinking water. At that point, limit your intake of cold water and opt for room-temperature water instead.

When drinking water, sip it slowly in small amounts rather than consuming too much at once to avoid putting pressure on internal organs.

Hydrate regularly; don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Feeling thirsty means your body is already dehydrated. Prolonged dehydration can be harmful to your health.

Besides drinking plain water, you can also consume herbal teas or fresh fruit juices to add vitamins and minerals to your diet. However, avoid sugary drinks and don’t substitute any beverage entirely for plain water.