We all agree that it is important to stay well hydrated during and after training. However, opinions vary on the temperature at which the water should be.
You may have heard that you can burn calories by drinking ice water. However, to date there is no conclusive evidence or study to support this fact. Opinions on the matter are even divided and research continues on this topic.
In any case, here we tell you what is true about it, as well as some curiosities about frozen water and its role in sport. Keep reading!
Why Is Cold Water Better Than Hot Water?
Experts say that when the body is exposed to cold temperatures, both externally and internally, the body works to burn the calories that are stored to heat the body.
By drinking cold water, the body burns the stored calories to generate heat in the body, which would eventually help you lose weight.
The research made it clear that people had to drink 16 glasses of cold water per day, they managed to eliminate 18 calories per day, this without doing any type of exercise.
And in those people who exercise, when they drink cold water, the impact on metabolism is very positive because it allows them to burn more calories during training, in addition to preventing dehydration.
So although cold water helps to lose weight, the ideal is that you also exercise so that your calorie burning is faster.
Another tip that can help you in your weight loss is to drink plain water before each meal, in this way you will reduce the amount of food you consume.
Burning Calories By Drinking Cold Water
The Oxford Academic tells us that, by drinking a glass of cold water, you would be burning approximately a total of 4 to 7 calories. Therefore, this is almost nothing.
Drinking enough water is necessary for the body. Therefore, if we want to lose weight, hydration will be very important. According to a study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, this occurs because water consumption contributes to speeding up metabolism by up to 30%. However, the fact that it is frozen has nothing to do with it.
However, there can also be significant weight loss when caloric drinks are replaced with calorie -free water. Giving up soda cans and replacing them with water can save approximately 330 calories a day.
Drinking Water As A Method To Control Food Intake
Another healthy option would be to drink water before meals, it does not matter if it is cold or at room temperature. But, as we have said before, this is not because calories are usually burned by eating ice cream. But, in this way, we will be able to fill ourselves up sooner and we will not eat so much.
A large glass of water helps you not to snack at any time of the day. In fact, studies suggest that people who drink a glass of water half an hour before eating tend to lose more weight than those who don’t.
In any case, as we have commented, it is a subject that is still being investigated. Although some evidence associates the consumption of water with weight loss, to say that it helps to burn calories is an exaggeration that lacks scientific support.
Conclusion
We all agree that it is important to stay well hydrated during and after training. However, opinions vary on the temperature at which the water should be. What is evident is that dehydration can lead to a decrease in the level of performance and an increase in the sensation of effort.
In short, the best solution may be to limit yourself to drinking lukewarm or cool water, which can help us maintain proper hydration before, during, and after physical exercise. However, as we have seen, the idea of burning calories by drinking ice water is quite uncertain.
If you have any doubts about the correct hydration of our body during exercise, it is always advisable to consult a specialist.