Why Avoid Ice-Cold Beverages With Food

Why would you wish to cool your digestive fire by changing the environment of your stomach during when you need it most? Sure it’s refreshing on a hot day to down a cold drink but maybe back off with food for better digestion.

Chilled water as well as some cold beverages contract the blood vessels and also restrict digestion. The natural process of absorbing nutrients during digestion is hindered when you consume chilled water.

Digestive enzymes function optimally at specific temperatures. Consuming cold water during or immediately after eating may lower the overall temperature of your stomach, potentially slowing down the activity of these enzymes. This could lead to inefficient digestion, particularly of fats.

Definition of cold water for drinking: “Cold water” does not mean icy cold water. “Cold water” is water with a temperature of 60ºF (15.5ºC) +/- 2 degree Celsius.

Maybe you don’t think of 60 degree water as being cold but I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t want to swim in it as optimal pool temp for fitness swimming is 78-84 degrees. The temperature of 60ºF +/1 2 degrees is selected because it is the temperature of water that a person of average body build, in good health, wearing work clothes and a life preserver could be expected to survive in/on that water for about eight/ten hours. The temperature of 60ºF  +/- 2 degrees is cold enough but still friendly to your teeth.

When I go to a restaurant I always ask for room temperature water in a glass. Only about half the time do I get it as the wait staff often just leave out the ice. I bring my own water sometimes or just take small sips as needed and am motivated to re-hydrate between meals.

As long as we are discussing digestion lets talk about where it happens and a little science.

Digestion of Food in the Small Intestine

From the stomach, food moves to small intestine which has internal layer of small, finger-like structures called villi which are covered by even smaller hair-like structures called microvilli to help improve the surface area for faster absorption of nutrients. The small intestine is divided into duodenum, jejunum and ileum. In duodenum, intestinal enzymes and enzymes from the pancreas breaks nutrients into simpler forms that can be absorbed. The enzymes amylase digest starch, maltase digest maltose, sucrase digest sucrose and lactase digest lactose. The main enzymes for digestion of proteins are chymotrypsin and trypsin. Trypsin and chymotrypsin are secreted by the pancreas. Pepsin is secreted by the stomach. These enzymes break down food proteins into polypeptides that are then broken down by the enzyme erepsin into amino acids. Fats are also digested here by bile which is produced by liver (bile is stored in gall blander). The enzyme for digesting fats is called lipase. Most of nutrients absorption into the blood stream happens in the jejunum. Ileum is the part where the final absorption takes place. Any food that is not absorbed here proceeds to the large intestines.

Digestive Enzymes in Humans (maybe use this knowledge to be more mindful about chewing your food thoroughly and especially when consuming the foods below)

1. Amylase useful in digestion of complex carbohydrates (found in soybeans, sweet potatoes, barley, rice, tomatoes and cereal grains)
2. Bromelain is a protein enzyme that also digests proteins (found in pineapple)
3. Cellulase useful in digestion of fibers from soluble sources (found in beets, night shade veggies, asparagus stems)
4. Lactase useful in digestion of Lactose or dairy sugars
5. Lipase useful in digestion of fats and denatured fatty oil (found in avocados)
6. Maltase useful in digestion of disaccharides to mono saccharides (found in wheat, cornmeal, barley and many breakfast cereals)
7. Protease useful in digestion of protein into amino acids (found in asparagus, ginger, keifer, kimchi, kiwi, sauerkraut, yogurt)
8. Sucrase useful in digestion of complex sugars and starches (found in processed foods and beverages)

Have some warm tea with a meal or even lukewarm water. It may be an adjustment for you that your body will like. Did you know in many countries they don’t even have access to ice? Maybe trick yourself and pretend like you are “roughing it” to trick your tongue and body into better digestion.

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