Hidden Hazards of Iced Water

Drinking icy cold water is probably one of the most unnatural things we do. Even though it is profoundly damaging to our health, Americans fill their drinks to the brim with ice. It’s everywhere, restaurants, hospitals, and most homes. So why is it damaging to our health, and why is it so difficult to stop? And why is hot water better for you?

From a western standpoint drinking icy drinks and food causes blood vessels to constrict, hindering our ability to absorb nutrients. And we don’t get sufficiently hydrated when the blood vessels constrict. We waste tremendous energy regulating our core temperature. Icy water wears away teeth enamel and tiny cracks form in our teeth. Drinking cold water after a meal creates excess mucus in your body.

Cold water can exacerbate asthma symptoms in children, according to a study by the European Society of Pediatrics. Another study found that often people experience a headache after drinking ice water.

The Chinese believe that all food and drinks should be taken at normal body temperature, or 100 degrees or greater, because cold foods weaken the Spleen and Stomach. In TCM (traditional Chinese medicine), the Spleen needs a moderate temperature in order to function properly. One major function of the Spleen is transformation of food and nutrients to allow for the formation of Qi and Blood which is distributed it to all organs and tissue of the body. A healthy Spleen is essential for fighting infection. Holding blood in the vessels, holding the organs in place, and keeping the tissue strong is the ‘holding function.’ Bruising or other chronic bleeding, such as wet macular degeneration, bulging or herniated discs, and prolapse of organs are examples of what can happen when the Spleens holding function doesn’t hold up.

Like the Spleen, your stomach is comfortable at 98.6 degrees or warmer. After we ingest ice water, the Stomach attempts to warm up by drawing heat from the lower body, causing poor circulation and cold below the waist. The acupuncture meridian associated with the Stomach starts in the bottom of the eye, traverses the face, sinuses and teeth. The heat in the Stomach rises up, causing esophageal reflux, chronic sinusitis, headaches, eye disorders and problems with the teeth.

Furthermore, ingesting cold water creates moisture or “dampness.” Bacteria, candida, and parasites thrive in damp areas, especially in your stomach and uterus. A TCM concept, Dampness occurs when the body is too weak to produce nutrients, and instead produces moisture and phlegm. Phlegm is a broad concept in TCM and includes the formation of substances such as adipose tissue, fatty tumors, bone spurs, kidney and gallbladder stones, plaques in the arteries, eyes, brain and other tissues.

Drinking cold water becomes a habit. We cool down the Stomach, and heat is generated in an attempt to obtain equilibrium, leaving the Stomach too hot which causes a desire for more cold drinks. A vicious cycle develops.

Consuming cold drinks is not the norm in most countries around the world. While we often receive a glass of ice cold water alongside our meals at a restaurant, in China you would get a cup of steaming hot tea instead. Even when the weather is hot and humid, many Chinese carry thermoses filled with hot water. Even soft drinks are taken at room temperature.

Hot Drinks Can Cool You Down Better Than Cold Ones

If you’re feeling reluctant to give up ice cold drinks, consider that warm beverages have been proven to help you cool down more effectively than cold ones. According to a report from NPR, “The hot drink somehow has an effect on your systemic cooling mechanisms.”

Drinking a glass of warm water in the morning helps kick-start the digestive system and aids blood circulation. Even when suffering from 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 body to cool down sufficiently.

Cold water slows down organ function and causes muscles to contract. Warm water helps to increase blood circulation, helping to reduce painful contractions of muscles and relieves sore joints. Sore throat? Drink some warm water. Menstrual cramps? Stop drinking cold stuff and switch to some hot water.

The organs of young children are delicate. After consuming too much cold food (cold milk, ice cream, sandwiches, salads) and cold water/juices, they develop all kinds of digestion problems, sinus problem, allergies, hay fever and asthma.

Excessive drinking of cold water also affects the development and physiological functions of the reproductive system. For young women, it can cause menstrual cramps, menstrual disorders & excessive discharge. Overaccumulation of cold creates a “chilled palace” which is an extremely cold uterus, ovaries, ovarian tube & leads to overgrowth of dampness (CANDIDA, PARASITES), fibroids, ovarian cysts, tumors, dysmenorrhea, infertility.

Benefits to Drinking Warm or Room Temperature Water

• Faster, increased hydration
  
• Natural digestive enzymes are stimulated and therefore your digestion is enhanced
  
• Food breaks down more easily
  
• Your bowels move better

How do we stop? We slowly wean ourselves of this addiction, using less and less ice, then no ice, then getting used to warm water, maybe with a little lemon.