There is certainly something satisfying about drinking a bottle of cold water during a hot afternoon. After a long commute, a good workout or even just spending time outside, that first sip of cold water is certainly far more satisfying than room temperature water.
But why is this the case?
Does cold water help you hydrate better or is there some other reason why you find it more refreshing? The answer has to do partially with your mouth and brain’s reaction to temperatures.
It All Starts in Your Mouth
As you drink cold water, the cool sensation is picked up by the temperature sensors found in your mouth and throat. These messages travel to the brain rapidly and contribute towards the satisfaction of your thirst feeling satisfied. It has been shown that cold water is more effective at reducing thirst compared to room temperature water especially for those who were previously thirsty. This is the reason why the first sip of cold water always feels so satisfying before your body even gets hydrated.
Why Is Cold Water More Refreshing?
“Refreshment” is not only about hydration. It is also a sensory experience. The consumption of cold water makes the inner surface of your mouth feel cold, thus creating a unique feeling that makes your brain feel that thirst and the state of being hot have been quenched. Research on beverage perception indicates that temperature is one of the attributes highly correlated with the feeling of refreshment.
This particular phenomenon becomes especially noticeable in the case of hotness or physical activity.
Actually, research done on exercise in a hot environment suggests that drinking cold beverages may enhance thermal comfort and make you feel cooler
Cold Water Tastes Better When You Are Thirsty
It turns out that your taste of cold water depends on the level of your thirst. When your mouth is dry, the colder water may create better sensations. According to scientific literature, the cold water may seem more pleasant when experiencing the feeling of mouth dryness or dehydration.
Thus, it explains why the water, which seems to be usual in the morning, can turn into a perfect refreshment after an hour of walking in the hot weather. The thirst of your body affects your perception of the beverage
Can Cold Water Hydrate You Better?
Not necessarily.
The primary reason for taking water is replacing the fluid that the body loses. There is no way in which the temperature of the water can completely transform the need for fluid intake. Nonetheless, if you happen to prefer cold water, then you may experience the refreshment that comes with consuming cold water. Thirsty participants experienced greater thirst reduction when drinking cold water as opposed to room-temperature water in one study. The benefit here seems to lie more in the influence of temperature on the act of drinking than the cold water being any good for hydration.
Why It Feels Especially Good on a Hot Day
Consider these two scenarios. You are sitting in a cooled room during an average day. Room-temperature water will suit you perfectly well. Consider going out on a hot day, where you will be feeling warm, having been sweating, a dry mouth—and getting some cold water. It is not only the water that has changed but your body and environment as well. The cold sensation brings an immediate feeling of refreshment and coolness, which is the reason chilled water feels especially refreshing after heat exposure or exercise.
The Perfect Temperature? It's Personal
There is no specific temperature that fits all in terms of water intake. Intriguingly, scientists have established that people tend to like water at 15°C but there might be individual variations in preferences. While some people enjoy extremely cold water, there are others who may prefer it mildly
cooled or just at room temperature. It is crucial to pick the water temperature which makes drinking it pleasant and practical
The Bottom Line
Cold water does not have to be scientifically better to make us feel better. The refreshing sensation created by chilled water in your mouth as well as its immediate thirst-relieving effect and cooling effect in hot weather conditions are what make us call the water refreshing.
At Bahamas, we think that proper hydration should not only become your daily habit but also an integral pleasure in your life. Coming back home after work, resting at your office desk, or recovering from the effects of staying outside – there will be times when all you need is a bottle of chilled water.