In these hot days of August, I find myself gulping down copious amount of cold water to cool down. This is especially so after I exercise. (Yes, I do exercise regularly.)
As I slammed down a nearly frozen bottle of water last week, the icy water was almost painful as it rushed over my lips, through my mouth and down my throat. I could feel the frigidity of the water as it flowed down my digestive track, the wave of cold rushing into me. I was sort of waiting for that artic blast to storm into my stomach – but nothing like that happened. My esophagus warmed up after the wave passed it by.
Then I wondered: Is the stomach better insulated so that it is not so widely affected by temperature … or did the mouth and throat warm the water up so that by the time it flowed into the stomach is was less bitterly cold?
It’s the same way with hot food. I’ve burned my mouth with the cheese of a pipping hot pizza, but I don’t ever recall burning the lining of my stomach.
Your stomach is insulated with a lining of mucus. Without this lining the acid siting in it would eat through the lining. You should drink cold water to hydrate. If the water is too cold, it will pass through the digestive tract before it can be warmed up enough to be used.
Should not drink**
@ Jordan,
Wait, are you saying that really cold water will come out as cold urine?
No, urine is water that was used. I’m saying that if its too cold your body has to use water to warm up the water in order to take in the water. So the net gain is close to nothing.