Organizations are increasingly aware of the true value of high-quality workplace drinking water. However, with so many options for the type and temperature of water to offer, it can be difficult to gauge what’s best for your employees, guests, and customers.
For organizations in pursuit of the best water supply to support their teams and encourage greater productivity in the long run, we’re taking a closer look at whether it’s better to drink cold water or hot water at work.
The Best Way To Get Hydrated With Water
Your drinking water supply at work has wide-reaching effects on every member of the team. And, considering most adults don’t drink enough water during the day, you need a clean, great-tasting water source that drives water intake in the workplace. This inevitably benefits your employees’ well-being, helps them reach their full potential at work, and supports organizational productivity and output goals.
If you’ve been wondering whether drinking cold water or hot water is better for your employees and customers, you’re not alone. As organizations increasingly turn their attention to new drinking water goals and strategies, it’ll be critical to understanding what makes these water options unique — to find the temperature that’s best suited for your business.
The Myths and Facts of Drinking Different Temperatures of Water
Although most are aware of the proven benefits of proper hydration, there’s been speculation that drinking cold water has a number of long-term negative effects on your health. For example, some are concerned that drinking cold or ice water contracts your stomach, making it harder to digest food after a meal. Others are under the assumption that drinking ice water makes it more difficult for your body to maintain its core temperature. Despite these notions, a report from Healthline finds there isn’t much research to support them.
However, the same research found that cold water can possibly make nasal mucous thicker and more difficult to pass through the respiratory tract, according to the results of an older and small study from 1978. While this may be helpful to keep in mind for those trying to treat a cold or flu, it isn’t a substantial worry for healthy workers.
Overall, it’s essential for organizations to recognize that ice water isn’t a significant health risk. In fact, the benefits of cold water are generally the same as those from water that’s room temperature — driving hydration and helping employees, guests, and customers feel refreshed.
Are there concerns about drinking hot water to keep in mind?
With the myths of cold water dispelled, you might be wondering if hot water has any negative impacts to consider. If you’re not careful, drinking water that’s too hot can burn your taste buds or even potentially damage the tissue in your esophagus, according to Healthline. However, as long as you’re aware of your water temperature, hot water generally has no harmful or long-term effects on your health.
The Benefits of Offering Cold and Hot Water Dispensing Options On Your Office Water Cooler
While both chilled water and warm water won’t have any considerable, negative long-term health impacts, these distinct temperatures do offer unique benefits. Recognizing both the health benefits and organizational advantages of different drinking water temperatures can help your organization determine the best water supply for your business moving forward.
What are the benefits of drinking cold water at work?
- Increases feelings of fullness: Offering your valuable team members ice cold water at work can increase their feelings of fullness, aid in weight loss, and raise their metabolism. By helping employees feel fuller while improving hydration, you’ll encourage them to avoid midday soda or consistent snacking throughout the day for a much healthier and more beneficial alternative.
- Increases energy: Providing your employees with cold water options can help give them extra energy throughout the day. Not only can greater water intake mitigate feelings of fatigue throughout the day, but ice cold water increases alertness — to maximize energy levels in your workforce.
- Improves brain function: Adequate hydration is essential for optimal brain function. Employees that are even mildly dehydrated can experience detrimental health issues, which is inevitably a hindrance to their overall efficiency and productivity — altering concentration, alertness, memory, and more. On the other hand, as individuals drink more water, they can quickly improve their brain function for the ultimate benefit of both their health and the company.
- Regulates body temperature: Despite concerns over cold water’s impact on body temperature, water, in general, is highly effective at regulating core temperature. This may be especially true during physical activity, high ambient temperatures, or fever.
The advantages of drinking hot water to consider
- Aids digestion: Drinking water is an effective way to promote healthy digestion, eliminating waste more effectively. However, hot water is thought to be particularly effective for activating the digestive system.
- Improves circulation: According to research from BlueCross BlueShield, hot water can help support healthier blood flow, improving circulation. Considering blood flow affects everything from blood pressure to a risk of cardiovascular disease, this can be a great way to support the well-being of your teams.
- May decrease stress levels: A unique benefit that your employees can enjoy from hot water is the ability to reduce anxiety and boost feelings of calmness — improving their mood and relaxation levels at work. This may be increasingly important to consider, as a report from the American Institute of Stress that found 83% of U.S. workers suffer from work-related stress.
Ultimately, both hot water and cold water options help your employees prevent dehydration — promoting optimum employee performance and driving productivity. While recognizing the unique benefits of each water temperature can help your organization determine which option is best suited for your business, advanced water solutions exist that can give you the best of both worlds.
Why Choose Quench to Get The Right Temperature?
If your organization has been looking for a drinking water solution that doesn’t make you choose between offering hot and cold water options, Quench can help. Our advanced suite of bottleless water coolers provides both hot and cold mineral water, so your employees, guests, and customers are free to choose their preferences.
Quench bottleless dispensers also utilize advanced filtration technology for purified, great-tasting water. And because these solutions connect directly to your water line, you can rest assured that your valuable team members have access to an endless supply of water whenever they need it.
Whether your employees are looking for a crisp glass of cold water on a hot summer day or a comforting cup of warm water when they’re busy at work, a bottleless water cooler from Quench can keep them satisfied. If you’re ready to offer your employees clean, refreshing hot and cold water options, try our product finder to discover the machine that’s the right fit for your business. Or, get a free quote to get started.
