The Daily Impact: What Happens If a Person Drinks Cold Water Every Day?

October 22, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a survey, 79% of people prefer cold water, particularly on hot days or after a workout, for its refreshing sensation. The seemingly simple daily habit of drinking cold water can affect your body in several nuanced ways, from your metabolism to your respiratory system, challenging long-held myths and traditions.

Quick Summary

This article explores the effects of daily cold water consumption, covering its influence on metabolism, exercise performance, digestion, and potential risks for individuals with specific health conditions, alongside common myths and scientific findings.

Key Points

Metabolism Boost: Drinking cold water causes the body to expend a small amount of energy to warm the fluid, resulting in a minor boost to resting metabolism.
Enhanced Exercise Performance: Consuming cold water during physical activity helps lower core body temperature, which improves endurance and performance, especially in hot conditions.
Potential for Digestive Issues: Individuals with conditions like achalasia or sensitive digestion may experience exacerbated symptoms from drinking cold water due to esophageal constriction.
Increased Nasal Congestion: Drinking chilled water can temporarily increase the thickness of nasal mucus, which might aggravate congestion during a cold or flu.
Headache Trigger: People who are prone to migraines are more susceptible to experiencing a headache after consuming ice-cold water quickly.
Impact on the Vagus Nerve: In cases of heat exhaustion, rapidly drinking cold water can stimulate the vagus nerve and cause a temporary drop in heart rate.
Individual Needs Matter: The optimal water temperature for hydration depends on your health, personal preference, and lifestyle, as both cold and room temperature water have benefits.

The Surprising Science Behind Drinking Cold Water

While the refreshing taste of a cold glass of water is a simple pleasure, its daily consumption has both proven benefits and potential drawbacks. The effects are not universally the same for everyone and depend heavily on individual health, lifestyle, and environment. Understanding the science helps separate fact from folklore regarding this common practice.

Potential Benefits of Regular Cold Water Intake

Metabolism Boost: When you consume cold water, your body expends a small amount of energy to warm the liquid to your core temperature. One study from Humboldt-University in Berlin found that drinking 22°C water led to a slightly higher energy expenditure compared to 37°C water, suggesting a minor boost to resting metabolism. While not a magic weight-loss solution, this can contribute to overall calorie burning.
Enhanced Exercise Performance: For those who exercise regularly, drinking cold water is a documented performance enhancer. Studies show that consuming chilled water or slushies during a workout can help delay the rise in core body temperature, leading to improved endurance and overall performance, especially in hotter environments. This cooling effect helps the body work more efficiently.
Improved Hydration: Some research suggests that cooler water is more palatable, encouraging individuals to drink more and, therefore, stay better hydrated. This is particularly advantageous for athletes who might otherwise struggle to consume enough fluids.
Increased Alertness: The shock of cold water can stimulate adrenaline production, leading to a temporary boost in alertness and focus, similar to the effect of a caffeine jolt but without the side effects.

The Downsides and Health Considerations

Aggravated Digestive Issues: For some individuals, particularly those with conditions like achalasia (a swallowing disorder), cold water can exacerbate symptoms like chest pain and difficulty swallowing. The colder temperature may cause the esophagus to constrict, worsening the condition. While myths about cold water hindering digestion by solidifying fats are generally unfounded in healthy individuals, some might experience mild stomach discomfort.
Increased Nasal Mucus Thickness: An older study from 1978 found that drinking cold water caused nasal mucus to thicken and become more difficult to pass for a temporary period. This might make it uncomfortable for those with a cold or flu, though it doesn't cause the illness itself.
Headaches: Individuals prone to migraines may experience headaches triggered by the rapid cooling sensation of ice-cold water on the palate and throat. A 2001 study found that people with active migraines were twice as likely to get a headache from drinking cold water through a straw.
Impact on the Vagus Nerve: In extreme situations, such as heat exhaustion, drinking ice-cold water too quickly can activate the vagus nerve in the stomach and esophagus. This can cause a sudden, severe drop in heart rate, which could potentially lead to a loss of consciousness.
Blood Vessel Constriction: Drinking cold water can cause a temporary constriction of blood vessels in the throat and extremities, leading to a minor, transient rise in blood pressure. This effect is generally not a concern for healthy individuals but warrants caution for those with existing cardiovascular issues.

Cold vs. Room Temperature Water: A Comparison


Feature	Cold Water	Room Temperature Water
Hydration	Often more palatable, encouraging higher consumption, especially during heat or exercise.	Easily absorbed by the body without temperature adjustment; supports overall daily hydration.
Digestion	Can temporarily constrict blood vessels and may worsen achalasia symptoms for some.	Believed by Ayurvedic practitioners and some modern medical experts to aid digestion.
Metabolism	Provides a minor, temporary boost as the body expends energy to warm it.	Does not require extra energy expenditure for temperature regulation; offers consistent hydration benefits.
Exercise	Helps lower core body temperature, improving endurance and performance in hot conditions.	While hydrating, lacks the additional cooling effect of cold water during strenuous activity.
Respiratory Health	May temporarily thicken nasal mucus, potentially aggravating congestion.	Offers a soothing effect, particularly useful when experiencing a cold or sore throat.
Nervous System	Can trigger headaches in migraine-prone individuals and affect the vagus nerve in extreme cases.	No known negative neurological impacts associated with temperature; gentler on the system.

Considerations for Daily Intake

For most healthy individuals, drinking cold water daily is safe and offers several advantages, especially for active lifestyles. The refreshing nature can be a powerful motivator for consistent hydration. However, those with specific health conditions, such as achalasia or migraine sensitivity, or those recovering from illness, should listen to their body's response. For the elderly and infants, whose immune systems may be more sensitive, lukewarm or room temperature water is often recommended to avoid 'cold stress'. A balanced approach, considering personal preference alongside physical and health needs, is key.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Balance for Your Body

The question of what happens if a person drinks cold water every day doesn't have a single, definitive answer. The effects are multifaceted, ranging from minor metabolic boosts and enhanced athletic performance to potential discomfort for those with pre-existing conditions like achalasia or migraine susceptibility. Daily cold water intake can be a healthy habit for many, especially those who find it encourages greater hydration during exercise or in hot weather. Yet, it's not without potential side effects for certain individuals. As with any dietary habit, moderation and mindfulness are crucial. Ultimately, paying attention to how your own body reacts and seeking a balance between cold and room temperature water can help you optimize your hydration for overall wellness.

Visit Healthline for more on the risks and benefits of drinking cold water

Frequently Asked Questions

No, drinking cold water does not cause weight gain. In fact, it slightly boosts your metabolism as your body burns a few extra calories to warm the water to your core body temperature. Weight management is more significantly influenced by overall calorie intake and exercise.

It is not necessarily bad, but it might be uncomfortable. Drinking cold water can temporarily thicken nasal mucus, potentially worsening congestion during a cold. For a sore throat, lukewarm or warm water might be more soothing.

For most healthy people, no. The idea that cold water slows digestion by solidifying fats is largely considered a myth. The body is highly efficient at regulating the temperature of food and drink. However, for individuals with specific esophageal disorders like achalasia, cold water can worsen symptoms and affect the digestive process.

The 'better' temperature depends on the context. Cold water is beneficial for cooling down during or after exercise, while warm water may be more soothing for digestion and circulation. Ultimately, consistent hydration is more important than temperature for overall health.

For some people, yes. Drinking ice-cold water, especially quickly through a straw, can trigger a 'brain freeze' or headache, particularly in individuals with a history of migraines. This reaction is known as a cold-stimulus headache.

It can be for a short time. Cold water can cause a temporary constriction of the blood vessels in the throat, which could be uncomfortable for some. However, it does not cause a cold or sore throat, which are caused by viruses.

Yes, athletes can benefit from cold water. Drinking cold water during exercise can help prevent overheating, maintain a lower core body temperature, and improve endurance. This makes it easier to sustain performance during strenuous activity, especially in warm weather.