5 Benefits of Drinking Hot Water: Does the Viral TikTok Health Trend Actually Work?
Find out who should skip the popular sip and stick to cool water instead
For many people, there’s nothing more refreshing than a cold glass of water. But what if we told you Chinese Medicine suggests your health might thank you if you start drinking hot water instead? If you’re on TikTok, you’ve probably noticed Chinese medicine wellness trends taking over your feed. One of the most popular has been tapping into the health benefits of drinking hot water for everything from constipation to a sore throat. But does this simple home remedy actually work? We spoke to the experts to get answers about the internet’s newest favorite health hack.
The Chinese Medicine perspective on drinking hot water
Some TikTok wellness trends don’t always have a clear source, but Maz Roginski, Doctor of Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture, master herbalist, educator and podcaster, confirms this trend stems from Chinese Medicine and has roots in a more than 2,000-year-old medical text. “In Chinese Medicine (CM), we understand that our Qi—our life force energy—is the basis of health and feeling great,” says Roginski. “Our Qi powers all of our body systems: metabolism, hormones, circulation, healing, repair [and] nervous system regulation.”
“Drinking hot water or any hot beverage—and eating warm foods—is a powerful way to add to our Qi reserves,” she adds. “In contrast, cold liquids tax our Qi because they use up some of our precious life force energy reserves in the form of warmth, as they warm up to body temperature. They drain our battery rather than add to it, like hot drinks do.”
Woman's World Answers
Clinical perspective on drinking hot water
“There seems to be some scientific evidence to support drinking hot water at 140°F for people with certain esophageal motility disorders, [and] some evidence to avoid cold water at 32°F for those people with sensitive stomachs,” says Jennifer Chung, MD, a board-certified internist and a functional and lifestyle medicine specialist.
But does drinking warm or hot water actually help with constipation? Kezia Joy, RDN, a medical advisor with Welzo, says hot water could help with how often you have bowel movements. “Drinking warm liquids in the mornings may get your bowels moving a little better if you have trouble with them,” she explains.
Roginski adds that warmth can help activate the muscles in the digestive tract and boost blood flow, which may support regular bowel movements and help the body eliminate waste.
4 more benefits of drinking hot water
Not everyone who switches to hot water will have the same experience, but Joy says there are potential benefits beyond easing constipation. Here’s what it may be able to do:
- Reduces bloating: “The warm water may help relax your stomach muscles (the ones that make you feel heavy) and prevent bloating,” says Joy.
- Helps you stay hydrated: “Many people prefer to drink hot water instead of cold water because they simply do not like drinking cold water,” Joy says. Drinking enough hot water is a soothing way to help you meet your hydration needs.
- Soothes a sore throat: “Drinking warm liquids can soothe your throat and upper digestive system,” says Joy. “If you have a sore throat or mild inflammation, this may be a useful aid in soothing your symptoms.”
- Boosts relaxation: “It has been shown that lower stress levels help your digestive system work properly, since high levels of stress have been shown to impede the proper functioning of the gut,” says Joy.
How to get the benefits of drinking hot water
Ready to give this TikTok health trend a try, but not sure where to start? We asked Roginski to share how to safely harness the benefits of drinking warm water.
Making sure you’re drinking enough water
“For best results, I advise 80 to 100 percent of drinks should be warm (and none of the remaining 20 percent should be iced or refrigerated—room temp is okay in a pinch),” Roginski says. “How quickly someone will see benefits depends on how depleted or stagnated their Qi [or] life force is. Someone with mild symptoms will notice improvements quicker and with less hot water.”
Use the kettle instead of the microwave
“I teach a lot on structured water and how various frequencies, like microwaves, affect our water,” Roginski says. “This is a very new and emerging field of science. In my opinion, and that of other water scientists, microwaving water zaps it of its Qi—its charge or life force energy. So, it’s the kettle for me every time.”
Sip hot herbal tea
“In Chinese Medicine, each herb has unique properties and affects specific organs, systems and functions,” Roginski says. “So [herbal tea] turbocharges the hot water and adds extra benefits.” Her recommendations:
- Ginger to ease bloating, pain, cough, congestion, water retention [and] slow metabolism
- Sage to help with hormone balance and a sore throat
- Cinnamon to balance blood sugar, support circulation and calm the heart
- Fennel to soothe lower back and lower abdomen pain
A safety consideration
Like any wellness hack, the hot water trend may not be right for everyone. Dr. Chung says research suggests one medical condition may make cold water a better option for some people. “There’s evidence to actually drink cold water in those with a specific type of inflammatory bowel disease called ulcerative colitis,” says Dr. Chung. “I would caution those patients who have been diagnosed with an inflammatory disorder involving the gastrointestinal tract, and I recommend they discuss with their physician before following the hot water trend.”
The bottom line on drinking hot water
Whether you’re ready to embrace hot water or prefer to stick with your usual routine, this trend is a beautiful reminder that wellness doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes the simplest changes—like heating up your water—can make the biggest difference in how you feel every day. And that’s something worth raising a warm mug to!
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