The habit of drinking hot water throughout the day may seem unusual, but it is a common practice among Chinese people, even during the summer months. For many people in other countries, consuming room temperature water can be unappealing, except in the colder months. However, there are several health benefits associated with drinking hot water. In traditional Chinese medicine, water holds significant importance, which encourages this practice as a way to promote well-being.
In this blog, I will outline the reasons why Chinese people drink hot water all day long and explain the effects on your body if you adopt this habit daily.
The Significance of water in traditional chinese medicine
Water is the fifth element in Wu Xing, also known as the five phases or elements, in traditional Chinese medicine. Wu Xing serves as the foundation of Chinese philosophy and cosmology, illustrating the interactions between wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
In Chinese medicine, foods are classified as either yin or yang, with yin representing cold energy and yang representing hot energy. These two aspects are regarded as complementary forces that require balance.
Water symbolizes wisdom, renewal, and adaptability. The quality of water we consume plays a crucial role in both our physical and emotional well-being.
Given that China’s climate is generally humid, which is categorized as yin, consuming hot water—associated with yang—can help expel excess humidity and cold from the body. This approach helps maintain balance between yin and yang, reducing the likelihood of illness.
History of drinking hot water in china and why did it become the part of their daily practice
Drinking hot water has a history that dates back to as early as 200 BC. In ancient China, having access to hot water was a luxury for those who were less fortunate and could not afford the necessities of life due to high fuel prices.
During the cholera epidemic of 1982 in northern China, it is believed that wealthy southern Chinese were less affected by the disease primarily due to their habit of drinking boiling water. Since then, various public health campaigns, initiated by both nationalist and communist parties, have promoted the consumption of hot water at a national level, which has since become ingrained in Chinese culture and tradition.
Why do Chinese drink hot water?
Chinese culture places great emphasis on food. For them, eating is about is about achieving balance, promoting chi (the flow of energy), nurturing guanxi (relationships and respect), and appreciating food as an art form that connects to their history and ancestors.
In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that drinking hot water enhances blood circulation in the organs, boosts metabolism, helps eliminate toxins, relaxes tense muscles, and dispels cold from the body. Conversely, cold water is thought to slow down metabolism, increase muscle tension, and disrupt organ function. Regular consumption of hot or warm water is believed to promote healing for various ailments.
Benefits of drinking hot water in the light of Chinese medicine
According to traditional Chinese medicine, drinking hot water helps restore health in the body. This branch of medicine emphasizes the balance between yin and yang, which represents the equilibrium between cold and hot energy. An imbalance between these two forces can predispose individuals to illnesses. Drinking warm water nourishes yang in the body, and the stomach and spleen function best when supported by yang. These organs are primarily responsible for digestion and the absorption of food.
The physician Wang Jie Zhai explains that the stomach receives and digests food, while the spleen transports and transforms it into qi (energy). The presence of yang (heat) is essential for the proper functioning of these organs.
The type of water you consume can either enhance yin or yang in your body. For example, drinking hot water increases yang, boosts metabolism, and may also cause sweating, which lowers body temperature—introducing a yin effect.
Is drinking still a practice in today’s China?
In China, it is common to find water dispensers in schools, workplaces, and government offices. Almost all public areas are equipped with water dispensers that provide hot water. These dispensers vary from small, temperature-controlled coolers placed on countertops to large units that require dedicated boiler rooms. Additionally, tea kettles and thermoses are frequently used at home to boil and store hot water, respectively.
What happens if you drink hot water?
There are six reasons why you should also incorporate warm water in your daily practice:
Detox your body
Drinking hot water helps eliminate toxins from the body. It prevents fats from solidifying in the stomach and intestines by converting them into liquid droplets, allowing digestive enzymes to work more effectively. Additionally, hot water stimulates the natural digestive enzymes in the intestines, enhancing the breakdown of food and the absorption of nutrients.
Moreover, hot water opens up detoxification pathways through the skin, kidneys, bowel movements, and lymphatic system. In contrast, iced water can hinder the absorption of minerals from the water. Drinking cold water during or after meals can solidify the oils and fats in the consumed food, making digestion more difficult when it reaches the intestines.
Improved gut microflora
Drinking hot water stimulates the growth and enhances the function of healthy gut microflora. In contrast, cold and chilled drinks lower your body temperature and can alter the composition and function of gut microflora, including resident bacteria and fungi. This can increase your risk of gut-related diseases, such as diarrhea.
Aids in Regular bowel movements
The hot water helps waste move smoothly through the colon, aiding those who often experience constipation.
Relieves Pain
Drinking warm water can help relieve mensural cramps and headaches. During menstruation, a woman’s body needs heat to help expel the uterine lining. The heat from hot water increases blood circulation and relaxes the abdominal muscles, which reduces discomfort. Therefore, it’s best to avoid cold drinks before and during your period, as they can constrict and contract the muscles and blood vessels. This may lead to delayed and more painful periods, an increase in blood clots, and may even promote the formation of ovarian cysts.
Additionally, drinking hot water can assist with weight loss. Regular consumption of hot water helps prevent weight gain by increasing your metabolic rate and burning more calories. It also aids in flushing toxins from the gut and kidneys through increased urination and more frequent bowel movements. Consuming a glass of warm water can accelerate your metabolic rate by up to 40%, with effects lasting for 30 to 40 minutes.
Helps in weight loss
Additionally, drinking hot water can assist with weight loss. Regular consumption of hot water helps prevent weight gain by increasing your metabolic rate and burning more calories. It also aids in flushing toxins from the gut and kidneys through increased urination and more frequent bowel movements. Consuming a glass of warm water can accelerate your metabolic rate by up to 40%, with effects lasting for 30-40 minutes.
Delays aging
Drinking warm water helps eliminate toxins from the body and improves skin circulation and cellular turnover, resulting in youthful and healthy skin.
Greater water absorption
In Ayurveda, it is believed that different temperatures of water are processed differently by the body and absorbed at varying rates. Water at room temperature takes about six hours to be fully absorbed, while boiled water takes only half that time. Additionally, boiling water for ten minutes energizes it and enhances the Agni (internal heat) necessary for digestion.
Boiling alters the properties of water, and you don’t need to warm it every time you drink. However, boiled water that sits on your countertop overnight should be boiled again, as it loses its beneficial properties. It is recommended to boil fresh water every morning and use it throughout the day.
Allergies in Children who drink cold water
Iced cold water, cold drinks, and frozen foods can hinder a child’s growth and development. The spleen, a lymphatic organ connected to immune function, fully develops by the age of seven and requires warmth for optimal performance. Consuming too many cold foods and drinks can affect the spleen’s development, making children more susceptible to allergies, sinus infections, digestive problems, eczema, and asthma.
The Stomach Needs Heat to Function Properly
The stomach requires heat to break down food into fine particles so that digestive enzymes can work effectively in the small intestine. Therefore, it is recommended to drink a glass of hot water, preferably with lemon, to boost the production of hydrochloric acid.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the stomach is likened to a cooking pot that needs heat to function properly. If there isn’t enough heat in the stomach, it has to work harder to elevate its temperature, often borrowing heat from other organs, such as the reproductive organs, which can affect their health.
Common symptoms of insufficient heat in the stomach include sluggish digestion, malabsorption, bloating, gas, weight gain, and stomach pain.
How much hot water should you drink in a day?
It’s recommended to divide your water intake accordingly to get used to it and for maximum benefits:
Water on an empty stomach
- 1-2 glasses of warm water early in the morning before you brush your teeth.
- 1-2 glasses of warm water after toothbrushing.
Water in the morning hours
- Three glasses of water throughout the morning, 1 hour after the breakfast.
- One glass 15-30 minutes before lunch.
Water in the evening hours
- 2 glasses of hot water in the evening 1 hour after lunch.
- 1 glass of water 15-30 minutes before dinner.
- 1 glass before going to bed.
My final thoughts
From the discussion above, it’s clear that drinking hot water is preferable to cold or room-temperature water. This is why the Chinese traditionally consume hot water throughout the day.
It’s important to note that it’s not just the water itself that matters, but its quality in nourishing the yin and yang in your body. Hot water enhances the yang aspect, boosting your metabolism. At the same time, it can induce sweating, which lowers your body temperature—this represents the yin effect. Additionally, hot water helps eliminate toxins from the body, alleviates cramps and pain, and improves organ function, ultimately promoting overall health.
To gradually incorporate hot water into your daily routine, start your day with a drink of hot water mixed with honey, lemon, and ginger. You can also drink warm or hot water 30 minutes before and during meals. By following this routine, you will consume hot water for at least half of your total daily intake.
Even on very hot days, try to drink room-temperature water. These practices will eventually lead to improvements in your health. Commit to this routine for at least 3 to 6 months to notice the results.