Mr. Wang recently experienced persistent sneezing, runny nose, and severe hair loss. He found it puzzling: he never stayed up late and maintained excellent lifestyle habits, so why was his health so poor? After a doctor's consultation, the conclusion stunned him—the cause was actually his habit of drinking a glass of cold boiled water every morning for the past three years. While many believe drinking water upon waking is beneficial for health, the reality is it can be detrimental. The key lies in the word "cold."
Those with a morning drinking habit typically opt for cool boiled water. Experts explain that according to traditional Chinese medicine theory, morning is the time for rising yang energy. Consuming a glass of cool water at this time severely damages yang energy, especially for those who maintain this habit year-round. Many have developed allergic rhinitis, spleen and stomach disorders, hair loss, and other ailments as a result.Human body temperature hovers around 37°C (98.6°F), with internal body temperature slightly higher. Consuming water only a few degrees colder than body temperature in the morning forces your body to rapidly dissipate significant heat—a considerable shock. Morning is when the body is just reawakening; blood circulation, blood pressure, and organ functions are still recovering. Internal shocks at this time can easily cause discomfort and may even contribute to chronic conditions.
What else should be avoided in the morning? It's best not to wash your hair either. Morning hair washing can stimulate the body, causing vigorous blood circulation that may trigger headaches. If you go out with damp hair, the evaporating moisture will draw away substantial heat—guaranteeing a headache nearly 100% of the time! In short, all morning activities should be gentle.What's the most scientific way to drink water? First, excessive cold water consumption is indeed harmful, regardless of the time. Especially ice-cold beverages—those chilled to the bone—can trigger headaches in people with weaker constitutions, signaling bodily discomfort.Experts recommend drinking warm boiled water in the morning to nourish the stomach. Warm boiled water refers to freshly boiled water cooled naturally to 20°C–25°C (or pre-cooled water mixed with fresh boiling water to achieve a comfortable temperature). Scientists in Russia, the United States, and Japan also call it "revitalizing water." Consistently drinking warm boiled water year-round can yield unexpected health benefits.