You’ve probably heard someone say “Don’t drink cold water too often, it makes it harder to burn fat!” or “Cold drinks make your belly grow!” But is there any truth to that? Or is it just one of those long-standing myths?
Let’s break it down with some simple science.
Cold Water = Negative Calories?
Here’s the truth: water, whether cold or warm, has zero calories. So no, drinking cold water doesn’t make you gain weight. In fact, it can do the opposite.
When you drink cold water, your body has to work to bring it up to your internal temperature (around 37°C or 98.6°F). This process burns a small amount of energy called thermogenesis.
According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (2003), drinking about 500 ml of cold water can boost your metabolism by roughly 30% for over an hour afterward. Yep, your body burns extra calories just to warm it up.
So Why Do People Think Cold Water Makes You Fat?
This myth probably comes from the way we usually drink cold beverages with high-calorie food. Think about it: soda with fried chicken, iced bubble tea with dessert, or sweet iced coffee with pastries.
The truth is, it’s not the cold water that’s the problem but the sugary, fatty stuff we often consume alongside it.
In fact, a 2007 study from Stanford University found that increasing water intake, cold or warm, can support weight loss especially when used as a substitute for sugary drinks. Another study in the journal Obesity (2010) showed that drinking water before meals helped reduce appetite and calorie intake.
So if anything, cold water could actually help if you’re trying to manage your weight, as long as it’s not paired with loads of sugar or calories.
The Verdict: It’s a Myth!
Drinking cold water does NOT make you fat. On the contrary, it can slightly boost your metabolism. What leads to weight gain is a high-calorie diet, lack of exercise, and unhealthy habits not the temperature of your water.
Final Tips for Smart Hydration:
1. Cold water is totally fine, as long as it doesn’t trigger discomfort like if you’re sick or have a sensitive throat.
2. Skip sugary cold drinks like soda, syrupy teas, or sweetened coffee.
3. Try drinking water before meals to help control your portion sizes.
