Is Drinking Cold Water Making You Sick? The Science Behind the Myth

October 21, 2025 •

4 min read

While a 1978 study of 15 participants suggested cold water can thicken nasal mucus, the idea that drinking cold water is inherently making you sick is largely a myth. The real culprits behind common ailments are viruses and bacteria, not the temperature of your beverage.

Quick Summary

This article explores the truth behind the popular belief that cold water causes illness. It examines the science regarding digestive issues, headaches, and respiratory effects, separating anecdotal claims from evidence-based findings. Some individuals with pre-existing conditions may experience temporary discomfort, but for most people, water temperature is a matter of personal preference and has no major health impact.

Key Points

No direct link to illness: Viruses, not cold water, are the cause of sicknesses like the common cold or flu.
Minor metabolic boost: The body uses a small amount of energy to warm cold water, leading to a negligible increase in calorie burn.
Possible headache trigger: People with a history of migraines may be more susceptible to cold-stimulus headaches from cold water.
Avoid during colds for comfort: When congested, warm fluids can be more soothing than cold water, which may thicken nasal mucus temporarily.
Consider pre-existing conditions: Individuals with achalasia or severe digestive sensitivity should opt for warmer water to avoid discomfort.
Listen to your body: For most people, the best water temperature is a matter of personal comfort and has no bearing on overall health.
Debunked digestion myth: The rumor that cold water solidifies fats and harms digestion is not supported by scientific evidence.

Debunking the Myths: When Cold Water is Not the Culprit

For years, anecdotes and cultural beliefs have suggested that drinking cold water is bad for your health, potentially causing a cold, hampering digestion, or making you sick in other ways. However, modern medical science largely dispels these long-held assumptions. The human body is remarkably efficient at regulating its internal temperature, and any cold fluid you ingest is quickly warmed up to body temperature long before it reaches your stomach in a way that would cause significant harm. The discomfort that some people associate with cold drinks is often related to other factors, not the temperature itself.

The Common Cold and Cold Water

One of the most persistent myths is that drinking cold water can give you a cold. Viruses, not cold temperatures, cause colds. While cold water might cause a temporary irritation in the throat that feels like the start of a cold, it does not introduce the viruses responsible for the illness. In fact, staying hydrated is crucial when you are sick, regardless of the temperature. A glass of cold water can sometimes be soothing for a sore throat, but lukewarm or warm water may be a gentler option for some people.

Digestive Concerns and Nutrient Absorption

Traditional medicine systems, such as Ayurveda, suggest that cold water dampens the digestive 'fire' and can interfere with digestion. This has led to the widespread belief that drinking cold water with a meal slows down digestion and causes problems like bloating or nutrient malabsorption. While a 2020 study on a small group of males found that cold water may temporarily reduce gastric contractions, the effect is not considered clinically significant for the average healthy person. The body's natural digestive process, governed by stomach acids and enzymes, is far more robust than this myth suggests. The claim that cold water solidifies fats from a meal and lines the intestines with fatty sludge is also unfounded and physiologically inaccurate.

Headaches and Cold-Stimulus Pain

Have you ever experienced a "brain freeze" after drinking something icy too fast? This is a medically recognized phenomenon known as a cold-stimulus headache. It happens when the cold sensation from your mouth stimulates the nerves and affects blood flow in the palate, causing a referred pain in the head. A 2001 study found that women with a history of migraines were more susceptible to these cold-induced headaches. However, this is a temporary, non-threatening reaction, not a sign of underlying illness.

Comparison: Cold vs. Warm Water

Choosing between cold and warm water largely comes down to personal preference and specific health needs. There are no definitive findings that one temperature is universally superior for general health, but each has its particular applications.


Feature	Cold Water	Warm Water
Hydration Speed	May be absorbed slightly faster after intense exercise.	No significant difference for general hydration.
Exercise Performance	Helps lower core body temperature, potentially improving endurance in hot environments.	Can help relax muscles and soothe soreness after a workout.
Digestion	Can cause temporary discomfort for those with sensitive stomachs or achalasia.	Recommended by Ayurvedic practices to aid digestion.
Respiratory Symptoms	Might thicken nasal mucus, worsening congestion during a cold.	Can help thin mucus and soothe a sore throat.
Metabolism	Slightly boosts metabolism as the body works to warm it.	No significant impact on resting metabolism.
Throat Irritation	Can temporarily constrict blood vessels, causing irritation in sensitive individuals.	Soothes the throat and can provide relief for soreness.

Specific Health Considerations

While healthy individuals generally have nothing to fear from a glass of cold water, certain conditions can make it a trigger for discomfort:

Achalasia: This rare swallowing disorder, which affects the esophagus, can be exacerbated by cold water, causing pain and difficulty swallowing. For these individuals, warm water is often more soothing.
Migraine Sufferers: People prone to migraines may find that drinking ice-cold beverages can trigger a headache.
Dental Sensitivity: Cold water can cause pain in teeth with exposed nerves due to aggressive brushing, decay, or other dental issues.
Existing Illnesses: If you are already congested from a cold or flu, cold water may thicken mucus and worsen symptoms temporarily, while warm fluids can provide relief.

The Real Bottom Line: Listen to Your Body

The human body is a robust system designed to regulate its own temperature. The vast majority of people can enjoy cold water without any negative consequences. The sensation of being 'sick' is likely a personal response or tied to an unrelated viral or bacterial infection. The most important thing is to stay consistently hydrated throughout the day, whether you prefer your water cold, warm, or at room temperature. If you experience consistent discomfort after drinking cold water, consulting a healthcare professional is wise to rule out any underlying health issues. For additional reading on general hydration, Healthline provides a comprehensive overview: What Are the Risks and Benefits of Drinking Cold Water?.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the belief that cold water makes you sick is predominantly a myth rooted in cultural anecdotes rather than scientific evidence. While some individuals with specific sensitivities or health conditions like achalasia or migraines might experience temporary discomfort, the average person's body can easily handle cold fluids. Colds are caused by viruses, not a glass of ice water, and the body's digestive system is resilient enough to function normally. Ultimately, staying hydrated is the key to good health, and the optimal water temperature is a matter of individual preference, not a cause for concern.

Frequently Asked Questions

Drinking cold water does not cause a sore throat. Viruses and bacteria are the culprits. However, for a person already suffering from a cold, cold water might cause temporary irritation, while warm fluids can be more soothing.

The idea that cold water significantly slows digestion is largely a myth. While it may temporarily cause minor constriction of blood vessels, the body's thermoregulation quickly warms the water, and digestion proceeds normally for most people.

This is a "brain freeze" or cold-stimulus headache, caused by the rapid temperature change on the roof of your mouth. It triggers a nervous system response that affects blood vessels and causes temporary pain, especially in migraine sufferers.

Some traditional practices, like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, suggest avoiding cold water because it is believed to disturb the body's energy balance and digestive fire (Agni). These are historical beliefs, and modern science has not corroborated them for most healthy individuals.

Some research indicates that drinking cold water may slightly boost your metabolism, as the body expends a small amount of energy to warm it. However, the effect is minimal and not a significant tool for weight loss on its own.

Achalasia is a rare disorder that makes it difficult for food and liquids to pass from the esophagus to the stomach. For people with this condition, drinking cold water can exacerbate symptoms like pain and difficulty swallowing, so warm water is often recommended.

There is no scientific evidence that drinking cold water immediately after a meal is harmful. It does not solidify fats or cause cancer, as some myths suggest. In fact, water aids in the digestion process.