Health & Life

How beneficial is hot water consumption in the regular diet of the Chinese?

In China, you can find hot water everywhere. Whether it's at the train station, the airport, on a train, in a supermarket, or in the office... Most people carry a small insulated bottle with them wherever they go. Whenever they need hot water, they simply find the nearest place and they're all set.

Administrator

25 February, 2024

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Chinese people love to drink hot/warm water almost in any situation, especially tea. They even drink it instead of filtered water on a daily basis. They drink hot water with every meal, regardless of the season. They believe that hot/warm water can improve their health, uplift their spirit, and reduce stress…

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the human body consists of yin and yang elements, and you can only be healthy if they are in balance. And, of course, the best way for them to achieve this balance is by drinking hot/warm water and other hot beverages.

For many foreigners visiting China for the first time, they cannot help but be amazed and fascinated. The fact that Chinese people drink hot water every day is so perplexing that it is one of the most searched questions about Chinese people on Google, according to SCMP.

Many tourists are surprised when traveling on trains because they are often caught off guard by the drinking water options available on the trains – instead of having options – hot, cold, normal temperature water – there is only hot water. For foreigners, this can be quite uncomfortable as they cannot buy bottled water from the food car, and the only option is to get themselves a cup of hot water. But for Chinese people, from the young to the old, male or female, whether they are staff or passengers on the train, they are content with this choice.

Chinese people have a long tradition of drinking hot water

The custom of drinking hot water in China goes beyond simple preference. Drinking hot water is seen as a remedy for all kinds of ailments, from common colds to the plague. Another reason why Chinese people enjoy drinking warm water is because it is an effective way to keep warm in cold weather, dating back centuries. Chinese people also believe that boiling water is the easiest way to kill most harmful bacteria.

Chinese people have been drinking hot water since at least the 4th century BC. At that time, hot drinks were seen to expel moisture from the body, while cold drinks could, naturally, cool the body. However, not everyone could afford the luxury of a stove. Therefore, hot water was reserved for those who needed it the most, specifically pregnant women, the elderly, and the sick.

From the early 20th century, there were public health campaigns promoting the consumption of hot water. In 1952, the Chinese government launched a number of public health campaigns encouraging people to drink warm water, forming a habit that has been passed down through generations. And hot water has become quite popular in China.

According to SCMP, perhaps the special reason for the long-standing habit of drinking warm water in China is related to traditional Chinese medicine. The earliest records of Chinese traditional medicine date back more than 2,000 years, the Huangdi Neijing, describing warm water as an effective health regulator.

Zhang Guowei – a professor at Hainan University, researching Chinese customs and history, said: “Not every company has waiting rooms or resting rooms, but there will be a room designated for people to make drinks, and there will definitely be hot water.”

“This document talks about how drinking cold water can hinder normal organ functions. And that is the main reason why Chinese people have the habit of drinking warm water.” – shared Cinci Leung, a traditional Chinese medicine doctor in Hong Kong, China.

Drinking hot water balances yin and yang

Chinese people drink hot water all year round, regardless of whether it is winter or summer. This is due to Chinese culture and history. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the human body consists of yin and yang elements, and you can only be healthy if they are in balance.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, each human body is composed of yin and yang elements. A person remains healthy when yin and yang are balanced. However, if the yang is too strong, the internal temperature of the body will increase and the person will be prone to various diseases.

A core principle of traditional Chinese medicine is the balance between yin and yang, i.e., cold and hot energies. Imbalance is believed to cause a range of diseases. To treat these diseases, patients must eliminate excess yin or excess heat. The best way to do this is by consuming food and beverages in the yin category. Hot water, for example, is a yang beverage.

“Drinking warm water can nourish the yang in the body, it’s like an energy plant for the body. Digestion as well as the absorption of nutrients depend a lot on the liver and stomach being supplied with yang energy. Yang also ensures that your organs function properly. When organs function normally, humans will be healthy,” says Dr. Leung.

Drinking hot water all year round, is it good for health?

Chinese people have the habit of drinking hot water since the 4th century BC. They drink hot water to improve digestion and facilitate waste removal.

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Here are some health benefits of drinking hot water:

Drinking hot water helps reduce stress

When you are stressed, drink a cup of warm water or hot beverages. If you consume these warm beverages, they will help soothe the central nervous system, making you feel less stressed and anxious when you drink.

“In the evening, about 30 minutes before going to bed, you can drink a cup of warm ginger honey tea or warm milk to relieve the pressure after a day of work, calm down, and sleep better,” according to a study by the US Community Health Care Organization.

Drinking warm water daily keeps the digestive system healthy

Warm water is seen as an effective lubricant to maintain the silent movements in the digestive tract and help to eliminate waste better.

Drinking hot water not only soothes the pressure on the digestive tract, but it also activates the digestive organs to work more efficiently. Regular consumption of warm water also helps maintain a healthy digestive system and improves elimination.

Drinking hot water helps eliminate toxins from the body

Drinking hot water and taking hot baths help relax the muscles, raise the body’s temperature, and stimulate the endocrine system to produce sweat. A strong functioning sweat gland helps push toxins through the skin and eliminate them. When the body is properly detoxified, it helps your body’s organs function more effectively.

Hot water helps alleviate nasal congestion symptoms

When you have nasal congestion, sore throat, or suffer from ENT diseases, you will feel mucus accumulating around your throat and upper chest. Therefore, you can drink a cup of warm water to relieve throat pain and keep your throat moist, preventing excessive mucus buildup.

When experiencing nasal congestion or discomfort, you can hold a cup of warm water near your nose. The steam will help loosen blocked sinuses, clear your nose, and even relieve headaches caused by sinus.

Frequently asked questions

The Chinese have a long-standing tradition of consuming hot water as a vital part of their daily routine. They believe that hot water plays a therapeutic role in maintaining health and preventing illnesses. This practice is deeply rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is considered beneficial for digestion, blood circulation, and overall well-being.

According to the article, hot water helps stimulate digestion by activating digestive enzymes and enhancing the breakdown of food particles. It also promotes blood flow to the digestive tract, supporting the absorption of nutrients and facilitating a smoother digestive process.

Consuming hot water is thought to improve blood circulation by dilating blood vessels and promoting blood flow. This enhanced circulation is believed to help deliver oxygen and nutrients to the body’s cells more efficiently, contributing to overall health and vitality.

Yes, the article suggests that hot water can aid in weight management. It is believed to boost metabolism, helping the body burn calories more effectively. Additionally, hot water can act as an appetite suppressant, making individuals feel fuller and reducing the tendency to overeat.

The article mentions that hot water is beneficial for skin health. It helps detoxify the body by promoting sweating, thereby flushing out toxins and impurities. Regular consumption of hot water is also believed to improve skin elasticity and promote a more youthful appearance.

While the Chinese swear by the benefits of hot water, it is important to exercise caution. The article advises against consuming extremely hot water, as it can cause oral or digestive tract burns. It is recommended to allow the water to cool slightly after boiling to a temperature that is comfortably warm.