Hot Beverage
Studies have shown the different benefits of drinking hot water in the morning, and even at different times of the day. Pictured: Shop owner Sam Lam prepares a traditional tea according to the Chinese ritual, pouring boiling water through rough leaves. Getty Images/Laurent Fievet

How you start your morning impacts greatly on how the rest of your day goes. This can’t be truer for what you eat and drink for breakfast. There are certain types of food that are more preferable day-starters than others. It may come as a surprise, but one of them is just plain hot water.

Studies have shown the different benefits of drinking hot water in the morning, and even at different times of the day. Not only does consuming plenty of water help the body recover lost fluids, it offers a holistic remedy for many health issues. Here are 12 benefits of drinking hot water.

1. Reduces stress

Drink hot water helps improve how the central nervous system functions, making you feel less stressed and anxious. Adding warm milk to the mix will help you feel more relaxed even more.

2. Aids in digestion

The digestive tract is soothed and activated by hot water, which serves as a lubricant. The temperature can help dissolve the food that your body would have otherwise had trouble digesting.

3. Helps with weight loss

As the body adjusts itself to the warmth of the water, your internal temperature goes down and the metabolic system is instantly activated. When you have waste products in the intestines that are causing some bloating, drinking hot water will allow the intestines to contract and, thus, excrete the bad stuff out faster and better.

4. Relieves nasal congestion

Inhaling the hot vapor while holding your cup of hot water can help unclog sinuses and soothe sinus headaches. It can also aid in relieving sore throat systems caused by the buildup of mucus.

5. Helps reduce toxins

When you take a warm bath or drink hot water, the endocrine system is woken up and you might start to perspire. This can be uncomfortable but it is also a great way to get rid of the irritants and toxins in the body.

6. Boosts circulation

The hot temperature stimulate the arteries and makes them more capable of distributing blood all over the body. When you have a healthy blood flow, you lower your risk for heart disease. Drinking it before you sleep also helps prepare you for a more restful slumber.

7. Calms the nerves

When the nervous system is activated by the hot water, your body becomes more prepared to react to its surroundings. This can mean having a calmer approach to your day, in addition to reduced aches and pains.

8. Relieves constipation

One of the benefits of hot water is helping get rid of the waste in your body. As the temperature prompts the colon to contract, the old waste that has been lodged inside can pass out of the body more easily.

9. Prevents premature aging

Hot water helps get rid of toxins and, thus, assists the body in repairing skin cells and improving elasticity. Lack of hydration in general leads to dry and sunken skin, which then causes that tiredness and paleness that causes us to look much older than our age.

10. Induces sleep

Sipping hot or warm water with your meals helps soothe the nerves and promotes overall relaxation. This why some prefer to drink hot water with their dinner. It also assists in curbing midnight snack cravings.

11. Alleviates pain

Warm water is known to help alleviate pain from menstrual cramping because the temperature eases the muscles. The same can be said for other types of muscle cramping.

12. Relieves achalasia symptoms

Achalasia is a condition wherein the esophagus has difficulty moving food down to the stomach. Drinking hot water helps the body digest the food easily. This is especially true if you are eating meat-heavy and oily foods.