The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Is cold water bad for you? What about drinking from the hose or tap? The facts behind 5 water myths

  • Written by Oliver A.H. Jones, Professor of chemistry, RMIT University
Is cold water bad for you? What about drinking from the hose or tap? The facts behind 5 water myths

We know the importance of staying hydrated[1], especially in hot weather. But even for something as simple as a drink of water, conflicting advice and urban myths abound.

Is cold water really bad for your health? What about hot water from the tap? And what is “raw water”? Let’s dive in and find out.

Myth 1: Cold water is bad for you

Some recent TikToks[2] have suggested cold water causes health problems by somehow “contracting blood vessels” and “restricting digestion”. There is little evidence[3] for this.

While a 2001 study[4] found 51 out of 669 women tested (7.6%) got a headache after drinking cold water, most of them already suffered from migraines and the work hasn’t been repeated since.

Cold drinks were shown to cause discomfort[5] in people with achalasia (a rare swallowing disorder[6]) in 2012 but the study only had 12 participants.

For most people, the temperature you drink your water is down to personal preference and circumstances. Cold water after exercise in summer or hot water to relax in winter won’t make any difference to your overall health.

Read more: Don’t like drinking plain water? 10 healthy ideas for staying hydrated this summer[7]

Myth 2: You shouldn’t drink hot tap water

This belief has a grain of scientific truth behind it. Hot water is generally a better solvent than cold water[8], so may dissolve metals and minerals from pipes better. Hot water is also often stored in tanks and may be heated and cooled many times. Bacteria and other disease-causing microorganisms tend to grow better in warm water[9] and can build up over time.

It’s better to fill your cup from the cold tap and get hot water for drinks from the kettle.

woman drinks from bottle
Hot or cold, so long as the water is treated it probably won’t affect your health. Shutterstock[10]

Myth 3: Bottled water is better

While bottled water might be safer in certain parts of the world[11] due to pollution of source water, there is no real advantage to drinking bottled water in Australia and similar countries.

According to University of Queensland[12] researchers, bottled water is not safer than tap water. It may even be tap water[13]. Most people can’t tell the difference[14] either. Bottled water usually costs (substantially) more than turning on the tap and is worse for the environment[15].

What about lead in tap water? This problem hit the headlines after a public health emergency[16] in Flint, Michigan, in the United States. But Flint used lead pipes with a corrosion inhibitor (in this case orthophosphate) to keep lead from dissolving. Then the city switched water sources to one without a corrosion inhibitor[17]. Lead levels rose and a public emergency was declared.

Fortunately, lead pipes haven’t been used in Australia since the 1930s. While lead might be present in some old plumbing products, it is unlikely to cause problems[18].

Myth 4: Raw water is naturally healthier

Some people bypass bottled and tap water, going straight to the source.

The “raw water[19]” trend emerged a few years ago, encouraging people to drink from rivers, streams and lakes. There is even a website[20] to help you find a local source.

Supporters say our ancestors drank spring water, so we should, too. However, our ancestors also often died from dysentery and cholera and their life expectancy was low[21].

While it is true even highly treated drinking water can contain low levels of things like microplastics[22], unless you live somewhere very remote, the risks of drinking untreated water are far higher[23] as it is more likely to contain pollutants from the surrounding area[24].

Read more: Travelling around Australia this summer? Here's how to know if the water is safe to drink[25]

Myth 5: It’s OK to drink directly from hoses

Tempting as it may be, it’s probably best not to drink from the hose when watering the plants. Water might have sat in there, in the warm sun for weeks or more potentially leading to bacterial buildup[26].

Similarly, while drinking water fountains are generally perfectly safe to use[27], they can contain a variety of bacteria[28]. It’s useful (though not essential) to run them for a few seconds before you start to drink so as to get fresh water through the system rather than what might have been sat there for a while.

drop of water suspended below tap There is a tiny risk that hot water might come with some contaminants from pipes or tanks. Shutterstock[29]

Read more: Drinking fountains in every town won't fix all our water issues – but it's a healthy start[30]

We are fortunate to be able to take safe drinking water for granted. Billions of people around the world are not so lucky[31].

So whether you like it hot or cold, or somewhere in between, feel free to enjoy a glass of water this summer.

Just don’t drink it from the hose.

References

  1. ^ importance of staying hydrated (www.health.qld.gov.au)
  2. ^ TikToks (www.tiktok.com)
  3. ^ little evidence (www.medicalnewstoday.com)
  4. ^ 2001 study (journals.sagepub.com)
  5. ^ cause discomfort (www.jnmjournal.org)
  6. ^ a rare swallowing disorder (www.hopkinsmedicine.org)
  7. ^ Don’t like drinking plain water? 10 healthy ideas for staying hydrated this summer (theconversation.com)
  8. ^ better solvent than cold water (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  9. ^ grow better in warm water (www.sciencedirect.com)
  10. ^ Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  11. ^ certain parts of the world (press.un.org)
  12. ^ University of Queensland (sustainability.uq.edu.au)
  13. ^ may even be tap water (www.campaignlive.co.uk)
  14. ^ can’t tell the difference (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  15. ^ worse for the environment (www.sciencedirect.com)
  16. ^ public health emergency (www.cdc.gov)
  17. ^ without a corrosion inhibitor (pubs.acs.org)
  18. ^ unlikely to cause problems (www.health.gov.au)
  19. ^ raw water (www.sbs.com.au)
  20. ^ website (findaspring.org)
  21. ^ life expectancy was low (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  22. ^ microplastics (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  23. ^ far higher (press.un.org)
  24. ^ surrounding area (www.epa.vic.gov.au)
  25. ^ Travelling around Australia this summer? Here's how to know if the water is safe to drink (theconversation.com)
  26. ^ bacterial buildup (pubs.acs.org)
  27. ^ safe to use (www.abc.net.au)
  28. ^ variety of bacteria (www.mdpi.com)
  29. ^ Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  30. ^ Drinking fountains in every town won't fix all our water issues – but it's a healthy start (theconversation.com)
  31. ^ not so lucky (www.who.int)

Read more https://theconversation.com/is-cold-water-bad-for-you-what-about-drinking-from-the-hose-or-tap-the-facts-behind-5-water-myths-215452

Times Magazine

Building a Strong Online Presence with Katoomba Web Design

Katoomba web design is more than just creating a website that looks good—it’s about building an online presence that reflects your brand, engages your audience, and drives results. For local businesses in the Blue Mountains, a well-designed website a...

September Sunset Polo

International Polo Tour To Bridge Historic Sport, Life-Changing Philanthropy, and Breath-Taking Beauty On Saturday, September 6th, history will be made as the International Polo Tour (IPT), a sports leader headquartered here in South Florida...

5 Ways Microsoft Fabric Simplifies Your Data Analytics Workflow

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their data analytics processes. The sheer volume and complexity of data can be overwhelming, often leading to bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Enter the innovative da...

7 Questions to Ask Before You Sign IT Support Companies in Sydney

Choosing an IT partner can feel like buying an insurance policy you hope you never need. The right choice keeps your team productive, your data safe, and your budget predictable. The wrong choice shows up as slow tickets, surprise bills, and risky sh...

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in the Sutherland Shire who may not have the financial means to pay for private legal assistance, legal aid ensures that everyone has access to representa...

Watercolor vs. Oil vs. Digital: Which Medium Fits Your Pet's Personality?

When it comes to immortalizing your pet’s unique personality in art, choosing the right medium is essential. Each artistic medium, whether watercolor, oil, or digital, has distinct qualities that can bring out the spirit of your furry friend in dif...

The Times Features

NSW has a new fashion sector strategy – but a sustainable industry needs a federally legislated response

The New South Wales government recently announced the launch of the NSW Fashion Sector Strategy, 2025–28[1]. The strategy, developed in partnership with the Australian Fashion ...

From Garden to Gift: Why Roses Make the Perfect Present

Think back to the last time you gave or received flowers. Chances are, roses were part of the bunch, or maybe they were the whole bunch.   Roses tend to leave an impression. Even ...

Do I have insomnia? 5 reasons why you might not

Even a single night of sleep trouble can feel distressing and lonely. You toss and turn, stare at the ceiling, and wonder how you’ll cope tomorrow. No wonder many people star...

Wedding Photography Trends You Need to Know (Before You Regret Your Album)

Your wedding album should be a timeless keepsake, not something you cringe at years later. Trends may come and go, but choosing the right wedding photography approach ensures your ...

Can you say no to your doctor using an AI scribe?

Doctors’ offices were once private. But increasingly, artificial intelligence (AI) scribes (also known as digital scribes) are listening in. These tools can record and trans...

There’s a new vaccine for pneumococcal disease in Australia. Here’s what to know

The Australian government announced last week there’s a new vaccine[1] for pneumococcal disease on the National Immunisation Program for all children. This vaccine replaces pr...