Dear Alice,
I am a soccer (known as football in most places outside the USA) player who is extremely active and drinks lots of water. I am wondering, for my sake, whether it is better to drink cold water or warm water. While we all like cold water better, I was wondering if because of the fact that your stomach is a lot closer to body temperature than the temperature of most tap water, that it would be better to drink warm water. I thought this because it seemed like your stomach would be able to handle it a lot better. Thank you for your time.
— Josh
Dear Josh,
Your assumptions are logical, but cold water is recommended when vigorously exercising. During intense physical activity, the body's core temperature rises above the normal 98.6°F (37°C). Drinking cool water lowers the body's temperature to its normal range. Sweating from running, passing, kicking, and jumping also helps lower the body's temperature. Studies show that cool water [41°F (5°C)] is absorbed more quickly from the stomach than warm water. This makes dehydration less likely, allowing you to play harder and enjoy the sport even more.
- Alice
Related Q&As
- Groin chafes during exercise
- Is drinking cold water harmful?
- Is it safe for children to drink sports beverages regularly, even when they're not exercising strenuously?
- Does caffeine affect athletic performance?
- Dizzy after exercise
Go Ask Alice! is not an emergency or instant response service. If you are in an urgent situation, please click here to view a list of 24 hour support services and hotlines.
Is it better for active people to drink warm rather than cold water?
