No matter how much you love cold drinks and fancy beverages, when thirst hits, it is only water that can satiate it. But it a right way to consume water? Does its temperature affect your body in any way? Is lukewarm water better, or cold water?
Lukewarm Water Meaning: What Is Lukewarm Water?
Lukewarm water, like the name suggests, is water which is not cold but on the water, more tepid side.
How Hot Is Lukewarm Water?
Lukewarm water, in all honesty, is neither hot nor cold. In fact, one can mix both extremely hot and extremely cold water to make it lukewarm.
What Should Be Lukewarm Water Temperature?
Generally, the temperature of lukewarm water is between 98 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit. This may be converted roughly to 36.5 to 40.5 degrees Celsius. Basically, the water should not be hot but if you run a hand through it, it should be warmer than your body temperature.
The Interesting History Of ‘Lukewarm’
The word 'luke' is actually derived from a Middle English word 'lew' meaning slightly warm. If we go further back, the word 'lew' is derived from an Old English word 'hleowe' denoting something full of warmth or something sunny.
Wondering where the word 'tepid' comes from? It is derived from a Latin word 'tepidus' meaning moderately warm and interestingly, it all comes back to Sanskrit and the word 'tapati' which means 'to make warm.'
Also read: Is RO water good for health?
Yeast And Lukewarm Water
For those of you who may not know, yeast is a leavening agent. You know, the one that makes bread rise? Hence, it needs to be alive before the bread dough is placed in the oven. It needs to be activated, only to die of high temperatures after it is put inside the oven. So how does one activate yeast? With lukewarm water, of course!
How warm is too warm? Run your hand through the water, making sure it is comfortably and evenly warm. Only then will it prove effective in activating yeast. If you find you are unsure, leave the water on the cooler side, rather than the hotter one as hot water will kill the yeast.
Add half a cup of lukewarm water and one teaspoon of sugar to give the yeast a kickstart. However, if you are using instant yeast, decrease the total liquid in the recipe by about 1/2 a cup.
How To Make Lukewarm Water?
Running your hand through the water and making sure it is comfortably warm is your best bet to making lukewarm water. However, adding mixing one part room temperature water and two parts boiling water is also recommended as a more exact lukewarm water recipe.
Benefits Of Drinking Lukewarm Water
You may have seen a lot of people starting their day with a glass of lukewarm water. But do you know the reason behind it? From better digestion to better skin, drinking lukewarm water offers many health benefits.
Here are some reasons why you should start drinking lukewarm water if you don’t already:
Helps with digestion
Not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration and constipation sometimes and can cause uncomfortable bowel movements. Lukewarm water helps make bowel movements easier. It also acts as a good flush for the food pipe as various types of food pass through it every day, and some foods can leave remnants even after being digested.
Helps lose weight
Drinking lukewarm water on an empty stomach is known to be beneficial for losing weight. It helps lose weight by raising the body temperature and increasing metabolism. The best results can be seen when taking lukewarm water while following an exercise routine and diet.
Strengthens immune system
Consuming lukewarm water with lemon can enhance the immune system as it supplements the body with Vitamin C and potassium. For better results, take it early in the morning on an empty stomach as the absorption will be faster.
Beneficial for skin and hair
Want glowing and healthy skin? Start drinking lukewarm water as the key to good skin is hydration. Drinking lukewarm water will not only hydrate your skin but will also remove toxins that lead to illness and ageing. It helps with skin detoxification and repairing skin cells to enhance elasticity.
Maintains the pH balance of the body
After ascorbic acid and citric acid are easily digested and removed from the system, the pH of the body turns alkaline. However, a glass of lukewarm water can help maintain the pH balance of the body.
Benefits of Lukewarm Water with Lemon
Lukewarm water with lemon is quite a popular remedy used in thousands of households. There are several benefits of lukewarm water with lemon. Some of the most common benefits of lemon water are as follows:
- It promotes hydration and prevents problems like dehydration, constipation, etc.
- Lemon is rich in Vitamin C, so taking it with lukewarm water will give your body the required amount of this essential vitamin.
- It helps with weight loss by increasing metabolism.
- Vitamin C is known to be beneficial for skin as it helps reduce skin wrinkling, ageing, and damage. Therefore, drinking lukewarm lemon water will give you glowing and healthy skin.
- It helps improve the digestion process.
- Lukewarm lemon water also helps prevent bad mouth odour.
- The citric acid in lemons is also known to prevent kidney stones.
Benefits of Drinking Lukewarm Water with Honey
Honey is an all-natural ingredient that is highly beneficial for the body. That’s why many people have a habit of taking lukewarm water with honey every day. Some of the most common benefits of lukewarm water with honey are listed below.
- It is good for curing respiratory infections and helps fight cough and sore throat.
- Lukewarm water with honey can promote weight loss.
- Drinking lukewarm with honey may give you clearer skin.
- Honey contains multiple minerals, vitamins, andomenzymes that help boost the body’s immunity.
- Having honey with lukewarm water on an empty stomach helps improve digestion.
Benefits of Drinking Lukewarm Water with Honey and Lemon
Lemon and honey are two products packed with many vitamins and minerals. Drinking them with tepid water will provide you with loads of goodness and benefits. Here are some of the most common benefits of lukewarm water with honey and lemon:
- Acts as a natural detoxing and energy booster drink.
- Improves the digestion process.
- Gives clearer skin.
- Helps enhance cardiac health.
- Promotes weight loss.
- Prevents kidney stones.
What Is Lukewarm Water with Honey and Lemon Side Effects?
Lukewarm water with honey and lemon is quite popular among health-conscious people and is generally safe to consume. However, there are some potential lukewarm water with honey and lemon side effects.
- It may affect tooth health.
- Over-consumption may cause heartburn.
- Over drinking it may contribute to frequent urination.
Also read: Black raisin or Kishmish water benefits
Any Other Side Effects of Lukewarm Water?
Usually, there are no side effects of lukewarm or tepid water if taken appropriately. However, if you do not maintain the ideal lukewarm temperature or over-consume tepid water, it can cause some side effects, described below:
- If the temperature is too hot, it can damage the oesophagus’ tissues.
- It may burn the taste buds on your tongue.
- Also, it can scald your tongue and cause discomfort.
Precautions While Drinking Lukewarm Water
While it's good to drink lukewarm water, there are certain precautions one should take while consuming it.
- Maintain the ideal lukewarm temperature.
- Do not over-consume.
Summing Up On Lukewarm Water
Drinking lukewarm water daily can prevent respiratory infections, promote weight loss, cure common coughs, colds and infections, boost your body's immunity, give you clearer skin, improve digestion, and maintain the natural pH levels of your body. Make sure you do not consume lukewarm water excessively as it could lead to heartburn and an uncontrollable urge to urinate constantly. Moreover, if the water is too hot, it can damage oesophagus tissues and burn your tongue.
FAQs
Is Lukewarm Water Hot or Cold?
Lukewarm water is neither hot nor cold. It is comfortably warm and a little warmer than our natural body temperature. The temperature of lukewarm water ranges from about 98 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
What's Another Word for Lukewarm Water?
Another word for lukewarm water is 'tepid' water or 'warm' water.
Is Lukewarm Water Good for Skin?
Yes! Lukewarm water is the perfect temperature at which you should be washing your face and body. We know that cleaning yourself with hot water can feel extremely relaxing but it also causes damage to your skin. Hot water causes a breakdown of delicate skin tissue, and may even lead to the onset of wrinkles early on in life. Hence, washing your face with lukewarm water is the way to go. Lukewarm water does not dry out your skin, leave your pores open for too long and it does not strip your skin off of its natural oils and moisture.
Can We Drink Hot Water Before Sleeping?
There is no doubt that staying hydrated is important. This is because you lose water throughout the day due to sweating, moving around, breathing and even while you sleep.
However, drinking lukewarm water before bed makes you urinate frequently through the night. Research suggests that an 8-10 hour sleep is essential for overall health among adults and lukewarm water before bed can interrupt this sleep cycle. Hence, make sure to have a sufficient amount as your day passes instead. If you have great bladder control and do not usually wake up to urinate in the night, feel free to take a swig of lukewarm water before you hit the sheets.
