Is Hot Water as Hydrating as Cold Water?

We know the importance of drinking water, it hydrates, cleanses and is the best companion for our much-loved tea bags and coffee beans. Now of course, when pairing to create the nation's favourite morning brew, we must boil our water. However, have you ever wondered if the water we add to our teas, coffees, and other drinks, is as hydrating as your classic glass of h2O? Here, we explore the benefits of drinking hot water, how caffeine effects hydration, and of course, is hot water as hydrating as cold water?

Benefits of drinking hot water

Drinking hot water can help improve circulation, promote healthy skin, and even aid in digestion. These benefits come from the fact that hot water can help to detoxify your body by flushing out toxins and impurities. One of the best times to drink hot water is first thing in the morning, before you eat or drink anything else. This is because hot water will help to improve your circulation and get your digestive system moving.

Hot drinks and hydration

This seems to be something of a hot topic. Hot and warm water is just as hydrating as cold and ambient water. However, we consume both in very different ways and often for quite clearly different reasons. When we heat up our water for tea or coffee, we do so with the aim of consuming a delicious drink to wake us up, or perhaps help us drift off to sleep. However, when we pair our hot water with tea and coffee, hydration changes. This isn’t due to the water itself, but simply what it is combined with.

Is Tea Hydrating?

According to the Mayo Clinic: "Drinking caffeine-containing beverages as part of a normal lifestyle doesn't cause fluid loss in excess of the volume ingested. While caffeinated drinks may have a mild diuretic effect — meaning that they may cause the need to urinate — they don't appear to increase the risk of dehydration." As we see here, the tea itself does not dehydrate, nor hydrate. Although it could increase the number of times you need to urinate during the day. Therefore, have you reaching for another glass of water.

Discover office water dispensers

Is Green Tea Hydrating?

Due to green tea's low caffeine level, it is very unlikely to cause dehydration. In fact, green tea is said to rehydrate you. Green tea boasts an impressive number of benefits. According to the trusted Healthline, green tea stimulates brain function (which could be down to its small amount of caffeine), promotes fat loss, and even lowers the risk of heart disease.

Coffee and Hydration

Coffee itself is not hydrating, however, the water we add to our coffee beans is hydrating. This is very frustrating but drinking coffee both hydrates and dehydrates at the same time. Caffeine, which is prominent in coffee and may have diuretic effects, implies that it might make you urinate more frequently, which might impact how hydrated you are.

Including hot beverages as part of your daily water intake is recommended by The Association of UK Dietitians. They state that: "Any drink will help to promote hydration. Water from the tap is a great choice, not least because it’s readily available and free. Other drinks count towards our total fluid intake too; milk, fruit juice, tea, coffee and soft drinks are all over 85% water and can be included in total fluid intake."

Discover the benefits of a hot water dispenser.

To Summarise

The takeaway boils down to the caffeine levels in our hot beverages. As we have confirmed, caffeine is the culprit for those diuretic effects, resulting in more frequent urination. This does not mean your lovely warm morning tea is dehydrating you, more simply that you will be taking more toilet breaks.

If you are seeking a water dispenser to provide refreshingly chilled water, as well as instant hot water, see our hot and cold water dispensers. Or contact us today.