Answered: Whether you should drink hot and cold (mixed) water

You take out a bottle from the fridge, pour water into a glass, sip, and realise that it’s too cold for comfort. What do you do next? Simply mix some hot water until you feel satisfied. No second thoughts there, right? Well, turns out that doing so is not something health experts promote. Yes, we also are looking for an answer to the ‘why’ that just came to your mind.

According to Isha Hatha Yoga teacher Shlloka Joshii one should never mix hot and cold water for drinking.

According to Shloka:

*Cold water is heavy to digest, while hot water is light; when combined, they can cause indigestion.
*Hot water is devoid of bacterial contamination, while cold water can be contaminated, so mixing both can cause ill health.
*Hot water pacifies vata and kapha, while cold water increases both; mixing them disrupts pitta dosha and produces ama.
*Mixing hot and cold water weakens digestion, causing bloating and hindering the absorption of nutrients.
*Hot water dilates blood vessels, clearing channels, while cold water constricts them; mixing can lead to blockage or failure to relieve problems.

When you mix hot and cold water, she said, the benefits of heating are lost. “The balanced temperature of mixed water does not promote the same level of metabolic activation as purely hot water. Hot water’s ability to stimulate digestion and cleanse the system is diluted, reducing its effectiveness in aiding digestion and maintaining the balance of doshas,” Shloka told indianexpress.com.

Do you often face digestive issues? (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Moreover, mixing hot and cold water can lead to temperature inconsistencies that confuse the digestive system, which is accustomed to handling uniform temperatures. “This can result in suboptimal digestion and reduced absorption of nutrients,” said Shloka.

Hot water’s properties are specifically aligned to enhance bodily functions by expanding blood vessels, promoting efficient blood circulation, and facilitating easier nutrient absorption. “Cold water, conversely, contracts blood vessels and slows down digestive processes. When mixed, these opposing properties can neutralise each other, diminishing the individual benefits of each,”  Shloka explained.

Further, the process of boiling water not only makes it lighter and free from bacteria but also instills it with “therapeutic qualities that aid in detoxification and the maintenance of overall health”. “By mixing it with cold water, these qualities are significantly reduced, making it less beneficial for health,” noted Shloka.

What can help?

A better solution to quench your thirst is to use an earthen pot! “It naturally keeps water cool, and purified, and even improves its mineral content. Earthen pots maintain a consistent, moderate temperature that is more aligned with Ayurvedic principles. The porous nature of clay allows for gentle evaporation, which keeps the water cool without being excessively cold. This makes it ideal for drinking, especially in warm climates, as it cools you down without disrupting your digestive fire or increasing kapha dosha,” Shloka shared.

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