Is it okay to drink cold beverages?

December 16, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2012 study, drinking cold water during exercise can help keep your body from overheating and improve performance. This finding, however, stands in contrast to age-old advice and cultural beliefs that suggest cold drinks are harmful, leaving many to question: is it okay to drink cold beverages?

Quick Summary

This article explores the scientific evidence behind drinking cold beverages, examining their impact on digestion, metabolism, athletic performance, and dental health. It addresses various health concerns and cultural beliefs to provide a balanced perspective on consuming cold liquids.

Key Points

Generally Safe for Most People: For healthy individuals, drinking cold beverages is not harmful and is an effective way to stay hydrated.
Boosts Athletic Performance: Consuming cold water during exercise can help lower core body temperature, improving endurance and performance, especially in hot conditions.
Mind Specific Health Conditions: Cold beverages can aggravate symptoms for people with certain issues like achalasia, migraine sensitivity, or dental sensitivity.
Dental Health Caution: Sugary and acidic cold drinks can erode tooth enamel and increase sensitivity over time. Use a straw and rinse with water after consumption.
Traditional Wisdom Differs: Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine often advise against cold drinks, believing they can disrupt digestion and internal balance.
Personal Preference Matters Most: The best temperature for your beverage is the one that encourages you to drink enough water to stay properly hydrated.

The Scientific Perspective: Hydration and Performance

For most healthy individuals, drinking cold beverages, especially water, is perfectly safe and can offer certain advantages. Regardless of temperature, water keeps you hydrated, but cold water is particularly beneficial during and after physical activity. Research indicates that it can help lower core body temperature, improving exercise performance and endurance, particularly in hot conditions. This can aid athletes in training and recovery.

Can Cold Water Boost Your Metabolism?

The notion that the body burns more calories to warm cold water is popular, but the effect is minimal and not a significant weight-loss factor. While a 2003 study showed a small increase in energy expenditure, it's unlikely to make a major difference for weight management. The primary benefit for weight loss is choosing plain water over sugary drinks.

Potential Risks and Health Concerns

While generally safe, cold beverages may be problematic for individuals with specific conditions.

Digestive Issues: Some with sensitive digestion might experience discomfort. Cold water may thicken nasal mucus for those with respiratory issues. Individuals with achalasia can experience pain from temperature-induced esophageal spasms.
Migraine Triggers: A 2001 study suggested a link between drinking ice-cold water and triggering migraines in susceptible individuals.
Dental Sensitivity: Cold drinks can cause pain for those with sensitive teeth, often due to issues like worn enamel. Acidic and sugary cold drinks can also erode enamel over time.
Throat Irritation: While not causing a sore throat, cold beverages can temporarily irritate an already inflamed one.

The Ayurvedic Perspective: A Cultural Contrast

Ayurveda, an ancient Indian healing system, often advises against cold water. This is based on the concept of 'agni' (digestive fire), which cold substances are believed to dampen, potentially leading to digestive issues and toxin accumulation.

Key Ayurvedic principles regarding cold water:

It may stress the body by requiring energy to regulate temperature.
It could slow metabolism by constricting digestive blood vessels.
It might imbalance 'doshas', particularly aggravating Vata.

This perspective is shared in other traditions, like Traditional Chinese Medicine, which often serves warm drinks.

Modern Habits vs. Traditional Wisdom: The Verdict

Scientific findings and cultural traditions offer contrasting views. Modern science largely deems cold water safe and potentially beneficial for healthy people, especially during exercise. In contrast, traditions like Ayurveda favor warmer liquids for digestion.

Comparison Table: Cold vs. Warm Beverages


Feature	Cold Beverages	Warm Beverages
Effect on Body Temperature	Helps lower core body temperature during/after exercise	Can help you feel warmer in cold conditions
Impact on Digestion	Can cause temporary vasoconstriction and slow down digestion for some	Supports and aids the digestive fire (Agni) in Ayurveda
Hydration Efficiency	Effective for rehydration, especially post-workout	Readily absorbed by the body, potentially more efficient
Calorie Expenditure	Causes a minimal, temporary metabolic boost from thermogenesis	No significant metabolic boost from temperature regulation
Risks	Potential trigger for migraines, sore throat, or dental sensitivity	Can make you less thirsty, potentially causing dehydration in heat
Cultural Perspective	Favored in many Western cultures for its refreshing qualities	Preferred in Ayurvedic and some East Asian traditions

Who Should Be Cautious?

Certain individuals should be cautious with cold drinks, including infants, the elderly, those with weakened immune systems, or specific medical conditions like achalasia or severe tooth sensitivity. Consulting a healthcare professional is recommended if you have concerns.

Conclusion

In conclusion, drinking cold beverages is generally okay for most healthy people and effective for hydration, especially in warm weather or during activity. However, if you have certain health conditions, sensitivities, or prefer traditional approaches like Ayurveda, warmer liquids may be better. Consistent hydration is crucial regardless of temperature. The best temperature is ultimately what encourages you to drink enough throughout the day. Listen to your body and make an informed choice.

Recommended Alternatives for Hydration

Room Temperature Water: A neutral option aligning with Ayurvedic principles and easily absorbed.
Infused Water: Add mint, fennel, or cucumber to room temperature water.
Herbal Teas: Cool or warm teas with ingredients like hibiscus or coriander.
Coconut Water: Hydrating and rich in electrolytes.

Sources for Further Information

For more information, refer to studies cited by health organizations. The National Institutes of Health can be a useful resource. You can find additional details in the provided citations:

The Takeaway

The choice of beverage temperature is largely personal. Understanding the different perspectives and potential effects allows you to make an informed decision for your health and hydration needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

For most healthy people, no. The body quickly regulates the temperature of cold water. While some studies show temporary effects like vasoconstriction, there is no scientific evidence that cold water significantly impairs digestion. However, individuals with sensitive digestive systems may experience mild discomfort.

A cold drink does not cause a sore throat. The actual cause is an infection from a virus or bacteria. However, if you are already sick, the temporary vasoconstriction from drinking something very cold can further irritate an inflamed throat.

For those with tooth sensitivity, cold drinks can cause pain. Additionally, frequent consumption of acidic and sugary cold beverages can erode tooth enamel over time, increasing the risk of sensitivity and decay.

No, it's generally beneficial. Drinking cold water after exercise helps lower your core body temperature, replenish fluids lost through sweat, and makes you feel more refreshed, which can motivate you to drink more and stay hydrated.

Drinking plain cold water does not cause weight gain. The idea that it solidifies fats is a myth. However, sugary, calorie-rich cold drinks like soda and iced coffees are linked to weight gain and should be consumed in moderation.

Many traditional healing systems, such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, believe that cold foods and drinks disrupt the body's internal balance and digestive 'fire'. They advise consuming room temperature or warm liquids to support digestion and overall health.

The 'best' temperature is largely a matter of personal preference and how your body responds. Both cold and warm water are effective for hydration. Cold water can be better for cooling down, while warm water can be soothing for digestion for some. The most important thing is to stay consistently hydrated.