Water and hydration: is it true that warm water is absorbed by the body faster than cold water?

The question of the temperature of consumed water often causes debate among health-conscious people. In the IT environment, both ice-cold water from office coolers and warm water from thermal mugs are popular. The physiological features of digestion and fluid absorption show that temperature really matters for the speed of body hydration.

When a person drinks cold water, it does not immediately enter the bloodstream. The body takes time to warm it up to body temperature inside the gastrointestinal tract. This requires energy and time, which is why cold water stays in the stomach longer. On the other hand, it leaves the stomach faster if a person is severely overheated, but in an office environment, this factor is not as relevant.

Warm water, the temperature of which is close to human body temperature (approximately thirty-six to thirty-seven degrees), requires almost no thermoregulation. It instantly overcomes the gastric barrier and begins to be absorbed in the small intestine. That is why doctors often recommend drinking warm water on an empty stomach or during intensive mental work when the body needs to restore water balance as quickly as possible.

When choosing water temperature for the workday, consider the following factors: