It’s a hot day, you’ve been outside sweating in your garden and you just need to cool off. Do you reach for some ice water? If so, you may want to rethink what you’re doing. You may not realize what you’re doing to your body!

1. Cold water shrinks your blood vessels and impedes digestion and hydration.

2. Instead of using energy to digest food, your body must focus on warming the water you’ve consumed until it can be used. This can actually result in water loss, thus causing dehydration.

3. Cold water during and after meals creates excess mucous, which your immune system must get rid of. This weakens your immune system and keeps it too busy to fight pathogens.

There are a few reasons why you should drink warm water though!

1. Warm water improves hydration.

2. Warm water stimulates digestive enzymes during and after meals.

3. Your digestive system moves waste along easier. Add a little lemon for faster digestion.

4. Warm water helps your body naturally detox through your kidneys, liver, lymphatic system and skin.