What are the health benefits of drinking warm water in the morning?

If drinking warm water is part of your daily routine, you can certainly continue. However, for those who drink warm water expecting specific health benefits, the results may not be as expected, according to HuffPost (USA).

It only supports the digestive system to a certain extent.

Gastroenterologist Isaiah Schuster, who works at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center (USA), says that hot or warm drinks can help the digestive system function more smoothly. Warm temperatures help relax the sphincter muscles in the digestive tract, thereby facilitating the movement of food. For example, drinking coffee or warm water in the morning can stimulate this process, helping the esophagus and digestive tract function more smoothly.

Photo: AI

Warm drinks can also stimulate the gastrocolic reflex, which causes the large intestine to become more active, thereby promoting bowel movements and improving constipation.

However, according to weight loss surgeon Vanessa Buie of UChicago Medicine (USA), the human body functions best at a temperature of around 37 degrees Celsius, so drinking water that is too cold or too hot can temporarily negatively affect gastric motility and digestion.

Furthermore, since digestion is primarily regulated by hormones, factors such as stress levels or sleep quality often affect digestion more than a glass of warm water.

Warm water is not a "miracle cure".

According to doctors, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that drinking warm water improves digestive health or aids in weight loss.

Currently, there is insufficient scientific data to recommend that patients lose weight by drinking hot water as part of obesity treatment. However, drinking water—whether hot or cold—can help replace high-calorie beverages, which indirectly supports weight management.

According to Dr. Schuster, the true effects of drinking hot water have not been clearly measured. Some people may find it pleasant, but it's also possible that the effect is purely psychological.

Therefore, Dr. Buie advises drinking water at a temperature that feels comfortable; the most important thing is that the body is adequately hydrated. When the body is well-hydrated, organs, joints, cells, and the ability to regulate body temperature all function better. If a glass of warm water in the morning helps you relax, improves your mood, and provides a positive start to the day, then it can still be a beneficial habit for your mental health.