Many people have the habit of drinking ice cream after meals or on hot days without predicting that it will affect digestive health. According to gastroenterologist Jaydeep Patel, Aadicura Super Speciality Hospital, Vadodara (India), consuming water that is too cold at the wrong time can slow down bowel movements, affect the ability to absorb nutrients and cause a feeling of heaviness and bloating.
How does cold water affect digestion?
Dr. Jaydeep Patel said that when cold water enters the stomach, low temperatures can cause blood vessels in the stomach lining to constrict, reducing blood circulation to the digestive organs. This reduced blood flow makes the stomach and intestines less efficient, especially the mobile movements, which play a role in crushing food and sending them to the small intestine. As a result, food stays in the stomach longer, causing a feeling of heaviness, bloating, and indigestion after eating. In addition, cold temperatures can also slow down the digestion of fat and carbohydrates, thereby affecting the ability to absorb nutrients.
Cases to be cautious when drinking cold water
For healthy people, drinking cold water often does not cause serious harm. However, some of the following groups of people need to be cautious:
People with gastroparesis, which causes food to stay in the stomach for a long time.
People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or have a sensitive digestive system.
People often experience bloating and indigestion after drinking cold drinks.
People immediately finish eating and drinking a large amount of ice cream.
Health care advice
Avoid drinking a lot of ice cream during or right after meals.
You should drink water at room temperature or slightly cold at the time after eating to help digestion easier.
Drinking cold water at other times when you don't eat or when you feel very thirsty is fine.
If you find that drinking cold water makes you uncomfortable: heavy belly, bloating, switch to drinking warm water or room temperature.
Note
Drinking ice cream can slow down digestion and cause discomfort for some people, especially when drinking it during or right after meals. For the majority of healthy people, the impact will not be great. However, if you have a history of sensitive digestion or have just finished eating ice cream, you should consider changing your habits to feel more comfortable.
