Cold water is harmful to health. Actually, this is one of the legends. A 2001 study found that 51 out of 669 women (7.6%) experienced headaches after drinking cold water, but most of these women already had migraines. In 2012, scientists found that cold drinks caused discomfort in patients with achalasia (a rare swallowing disorder), but only 12 people participated in the study. Therefore, there is little scientific evidence that cold water is harmful to health. For most people, the temperature of the water will depend on their personal preferences and circumstances.
There are other legends about water.
Do not drink hot tap water. There is some truth in this. Hot water is generally a better solvent than cold water, so it is better at dissolving metals and minerals from pipes. Additionally, it can be heated and cooled repeatedly, and pathogens multiply better in hot water.
Bottled water is better. This may indeed happen, but only in certain parts of the world. In Australia and similar countries, bottled drinking water has no advantage over tap water. This may even be less safe, according to researchers from the University of Queensland.
Raw water is healthier. Is it healthy to drink water from sources: rivers, streams, lakes? We must not forget that our ancestors, who drank mostly such water, often died of cholera and dysentery and, in general, did not live very long. Additionally, if you live in a city rather than somewhere remote, water from sources there is more likely to contain environmental contaminants.
You can drink directly from the hose. It is better not to do this as the water may have been exposed to sunlight some time ago, which can lead to the accumulation of bacteria in it. The same goes for drinking water fountains, so it’s best to start them and wait a few seconds before you start drinking from them. This will allow clean water to pass through the system.
News materials cannot be equated with a doctor’s prescription. Consult an expert before making a decision.
Source: Ferra
I am a professional journalist and content creator with extensive experience writing for news websites. I currently work as an author at Gadget Onus, where I specialize in covering hot news topics. My written pieces have been published on some of the biggest media outlets around the world, including The Guardian and BBC News.
