Drinking Ice During Hot Weather, Does It Cause Colds and Fever? Check the Facts

Illustration of the fact that drinking ice during hot weather causes colds and fever (Freepik)

YOGYAKARTA - When the air temperature rises, drinking refreshing cold water is often your main choice. However, not a few believe that drinking cold water can be harmful to health, especially the digestive system. So, what is the actual medical fact according to experts from the world's leading health institutions?

What do experts say about drinking water temperature?

Gastroenterology experts from leading universities insist that there is no definitive evidence that one water temperature is better than another. Dr. Louise Wang of Yale School of Medicine reported by Today, Monday, April 27, said there was no definitive evidence that one temperature was better than another. The most important factor is not the temperature, but the adequacy of your fluid intake throughout the day.

Dr. David Leiman from Duke University added that staying hydrated is clearly more important than the temperature when water is consumed. Your body needs water to transport nutrients, lubricate joints, aid digestion, and remove waste. Without adequate hydration, all of these body functions will be impaired.

You may be worried that cold water will "shock" the organs in the body. In fact, our body has an excellent and fast thermoregulatory mechanism. Dr. Leiman explained, water at very cold temperatures will begin to warm up when entering the esophagus, then of course when it goes down to the stomach.

Illustration of the fact that drinking ice during hot weather causes colds and fever (Freepik/pch.vector)

In a matter of minutes, the temperature of the water you drink will approach the temperature of your body core, which is around 37 degrees Celsius. Because of this rapid exchange of temperature, researchers have difficulty studying the long-term effects of water temperature on digestion. Dr. Victor Chedid from the Mayo Clinic emphasized that there are no major clinical guidelines or recommendations on water temperature for gut health.

Myth or fact: Cold water causes colds and fever?

In addition to digestive problems, many people still believe that drinking cold water during hot weather can cause colds, coughs, or fever. This belief is actually just a myth. It is important to understand that colds are caused by viruses.

So, what is the actual cause of the common cold and fever that often appears? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), rhinovirus is the most common cause of the common cold, and this virus can cause symptoms such as a runny nose, stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, headache, mild body pain, and fever. The CDC also explains that rhinovirus activity tends to increase in early fall and spring, not because of cold water consumption.

Illustration of the fact that drinking ice during hot weather causes colds and fever (Freepik/Drazen Zigic)

Many viruses can cause colds, and rhinovirus is the most common cause. The virus enters the body through the mouth, eyes, or nose, either through an air spray when a person sneezes or coughs, direct contact with a sick person, or touching a virus-contaminated object. So, it's clear that there is no relationship between drinking cold water and viral infections that cause colds.

Then, why do some people feel that colds get worse after drinking cold water?

Although ice is not the cause of a cold, in some people, cold drinks can worsen existing symptoms. A study showed that drinking cold drinks can slow down the flow of mucus, making the nose feel more clogged when you have a cold. On the other hand, warm drinks actually help clear the mucus flow so that breathing feels more relieved.

In addition, it is possible that someone has a cold allergy (cold allergy), where the nasal cavity enlarges and produces more mucus in response to cold temperatures. This condition is often mistaken for a cold due to a virus, but in fact it is an allergic reaction.

Which is the healthiest for you?

The healthiest water temperature is the temperature that makes you want to drink more water every day. Wang explained, the most important thing is the amount of water you drink, rather than the temperature. So, don't be afraid of myths about cold water.

Cold water does not cause colds or fever at all because the main cause is the virus. If you feel uncomfortable when drinking cold water while having a cold, choose a warm drink to relieve your throat and unclog your nose. Most importantly, make sure you are hydrated enough every day, especially when the weather is hot. A simple sign you can use is that you do not feel thirsty and your urine is pale yellow, not dark.