SAEDNEWS: For years, people have warned against drinking ice-cold water, especially after being out in the heat, claiming it can cause serious health problems. These beliefs are still common during hot summer days—but are they actually true?
According To Saednews, Many people have grown up hearing warnings such as, "Don't drink ice water—it can cause a stroke," or "Never drink very cold water after coming in from the heat." These beliefs remain common, especially during the summer. But does drinking cold or ice water in extremely hot weather actually pose a health risk?
According to medical experts, for healthy individuals in normal conditions, drinking cold or even very cold water does not cause any known serious health problems. The body's main priority during hot weather is maintaining proper hydration to prevent dehydration. The temperature of the water is far less important than drinking enough fluids.
The human body tightly regulates its internal temperature, and any water consumed quickly adjusts to body temperature after reaching the stomach. For this reason, doctors emphasize that staying adequately hydrated is far more important than whether the water is cold or warm.
Dr. Ehsan Shayesteh, a general practitioner, explains that there is no strong scientific evidence showing that cold water is harmful for most people. Both chilled water and room-temperature water hydrate the body effectively. In fact, many people find cold water more refreshing in hot weather, encouraging them to drink more and stay better hydrated.
He also notes that during intense exercise in hot environments, sports medicine often recommends drinking cool water because it helps lower core body temperature, reducing the risk of heat exhaustion and improving physical performance.
Although ice water is safe for most healthy people, rapidly drinking a large amount of very cold liquid immediately after prolonged exposure to extreme heat may occasionally cause dizziness, weakness, or even fainting in certain individuals.
This uncommon reaction is believed to be related to stimulation of the vagus nerve, which helps regulate heart rate and digestive function. A sudden temperature change in the esophagus or stomach may temporarily slow the heart rate or lower blood pressure in susceptible people. However, this response is considered rare.
Certain individuals may also experience discomfort after drinking ice-cold water, including:
People with migraine, as cold water can trigger headaches.
Individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux (GERD), or frequent bloating, whose digestive symptoms may worsen.
Patients with certain heart rhythm disorders, who should consult their physician before consuming very cold beverages quickly.
People with sensitive teeth or damaged tooth enamel, who may experience sharp tooth pain.
For everyone else, there is no evidence that cold water is harmful.
Interestingly, specialists in Traditional Persian Medicine largely agree that drinking cold water is generally acceptable. They advise drinking cool water without ice rather than consuming extremely icy drinks.
Traditional Persian Medicine specialist Alireza Yargholi explains that one of the common misconceptions circulating online is that people should replace cold water with warm water during summer. According to him, cool water without ice is perfectly suitable, while drinking excessively hot water is also not recommended.
He notes that although a small cup of hot water in the morning is unlikely to cause harm, regularly drinking large amounts of very hot water may negatively affect stomach function.
From the perspective of Traditional Persian Medicine, excessive heat tends to reduce energy levels and mental performance, while cooler conditions promote alertness and comfort.
Health professionals recommend that healthy individuals should not fear drinking cold water. The real concern is dehydration, which can lead to fatigue, low blood pressure, headaches, poor concentration, and, in severe cases, heat-related illness.
For people suffering from heat exhaustion or overheating, experts suggest drinking fluids gradually instead of consuming a large amount of ice water all at once. The primary goal is to restore lost fluids safely rather than rapidly cooling the body.
For individuals who are sensitive to very cold drinks, moderately chilled water from the refrigerator may be a more comfortable choice than beverages filled with ice cubes. Sipping water slowly rather than gulping it allows the digestive system to adjust more comfortably and may reduce the likelihood of digestive discomfort or other temporary reactions.
Current scientific evidence indicates that drinking cold or ice-cold water is safe for most healthy people. Staying hydrated is far more important than the temperature of the water. While certain individuals with migraines, digestive disorders, heart conditions, or sensitive teeth may experience temporary discomfort, there is no scientific basis for the widespread belief that cold water is inherently dangerous during hot weather. The best approach is simply to drink enough water throughout the day—and if ice water feels uncomfortable, choose cool water and sip it gradually.
