The Effects of Drinking Ice Water on Certain Health Conditions
Achalasia is a swallowing disorder in which the lower esophageal sphincter fails to relax, preventing food from entering the stomach. A study published in the Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility found that drinking ice water at 35.6 degrees Fahrenheit exacerbated the symptoms of achalasia. The study revealed that low temperatures increased the resting pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter, prolonged esophageal contraction, and worsened swallowing difficulties.Benefits of Ice Water for Specific Groups
Patients undergoing chemotherapy often experience taste disorders, affecting their eating habits and nutritional status. An animal study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences in 2020 indicated that drinking ice-cold water alleviated the suppressive effects of anticancer drugs on taste perception in mice. The researchers believe that using ice chips for oral cryotherapy may help prevent taste disorders induced by anticancer drugs.Ice Water Cravings May Indicate Underlying Health Issues
Ritsugaku Ken, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner at the Acupuncture and Moxibustion Clinic of Kurashiki Heisei Hospital in Japan, explained in an interview with The Epoch Times that the human body has a natural ability to regulate its temperature. However, he cautioned that long-term consumption of cold water can disrupt this ability, leading to an imbalance in the body’s temperature regulation.The anatomical spleen plays a crucial role in our immune system by producing white blood cells. However, in TCM, the spleen is closely linked with the stomach—which together play key roles in the digestion and absorption of nutrients in the body. Drinking cold water can harm the function of the spleen and stomach. This impaired function can affect the body’s ability to metabolize water, potentially causing symptoms such as edema and abdominal distension.
Furthermore, Dr. Yeh told The Epoch Times that if a person is in a constant state of feeling excessively hot and wanting to cool down by drinking a glass of ice water, it might be a sign of an underlying health issue.
When to Avoid Drinking Ice Water
Dr. Yeh provided a simple way to test if you can tolerate drinking ice water: Hold a glass of ice water with one hand. If you can hold it for more than one minute without feeling pain, it indicates that your body can tolerate cold drinks to a certain extent. However, since everyone’s body is different, this method may not be suitable for everyone.Dr. Yeh pointed out that the visceral nerves are less sensitive than the skin’s surface, therefore, a lack of reaction from the stomach does not necessarily mean it can handle extreme temperatures. If you find it challenging to hold ice water in your hand for more than a minute, it may indicate that your body cannot tolerate such cold directly entering the stomach. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid drinking ice water or eating icy foods.
Additionally, he recommends avoiding drinking ice water in the following three circumstances:
