GoodRx for Healthcare ProfessionalsAre There Actually Benefits to Drinking Hot Water?

A comprehensive review examines the scientific evidence behind drinking hot water and its purported health benefits. The analysis finds that although hot water consumption offers specific advantages for respiratory symptoms and potentially aids digestion, many popular claims lack substantial scientific backing. The temperature of water appears less crucial for health benefits than maintaining adequate hydration levels.

Key Points:

• Clinical evidence supports hot water’s efficacy for respiratory symptoms, demonstrating improved nasal breathing, reduced cough, and sore throat relief when sipped rather than consumed through a straw
• No definitive studies compare hot versus room temperature water’s effects on digestion, though hot water induces intestinal peristalsis which may aid constipation
• The WHO identified a potential link between very hot beverages (>140°F/60°C) and increased esophageal cancer risk, but study limitations include poor control for confounding factors and geographic specificity to Iran
• Cold water shows superior efficacy for post-exercise rehydration, with studies indicating higher voluntary consumption rates compared to warm water
• Research does not support claims that hot water improves circulation, enhances weight loss, or benefits skin health beyond standard hydration effects

HCN Medical Memo
Guide patients toward maintaining adequate hydration at their preferred water temperature, reserving specific temperature recommendations for symptomatic respiratory conditions where hot water shows documented benefits.

More on Preventive Medicine