Drinking very cold water when it's hot is definitely refreshing. But this sensation is short-lived. Physiologically speaking, iced water doesn't lower body temperature. Worse, it can disrupt sweating, which is supposed to naturally regulate body heat. If you're suffering from the heatwave currently affecting France, be careful not to give in too quickly to the call of ice cubes.
Drinking very cold water?
By suddenly cooling the stomach, we send the brain the message that the internal temperature is dropping, which causes a slowing down of perspiration. However, it is precisely sweat that allows the body to evacuate heat. Another problem: when ingested too cold, water can cause stomach cramps, slow digestion, and constrict the blood vessels around the stomach. The body must then expend energy to warm itself up. For some, this can even cause abdominal pain.
While it's tempting to gulp down a glass of cold water when it's hot, it's neither necessary nor particularly effective for cooling off. It's better to choose cool, but not iced, water around 13 to 15°C. At this temperature, hydration is optimal, digestion is not disrupted, and the body does not have to compensate for thermal shock. Drinking warm or even hot water also stimulates sweating and promotes heat dissipation in a dry environment.
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