Khaberni - A new study published in the British Journal of Nutrition reveals that the temperature of beverages, whether hot, like tea, or cold, like iced coffee, and the timing of consumption, can affect mood and overall health.
According to "Fox News," more than 400 American adults, all of Asian or White descent, participated in the study.
Researchers noted that the temperature of food and beverages, known since ancient times in traditional Asian medicine, was significantly linked to anxiety, insomnia, and digestive disorders.
The study highlighted that consuming more cold drinks in the hot months among the Asian participants was associated with:
• Increased anxiety.
• Sleep disturbances.
• A greater feeling of fullness in the stomach.
Meanwhile, White participants reported improved sleep, reduced depression, and fewer digestive problems when consuming hot beverages in winter.
The researchers attributed these differences to cultural habits in consumption and individuals' sensitivity to temperature, observing that the effects were stronger among participants with "cold hands," with clear differences between the Asian subgroups. They confirmed that the results show correlations, not direct causes, and that the data is based on participants' self-reports.
SDSU University stated in a release: "This is the first study in the United States to directly link the consumption of hot and cold foods and beverages to multiple health outcomes, with significant implications for addressing rising rates of anxiety, insomnia, and digestive disorders."
Associate Professor of Epidemiology at the university, Tianing Wu, explained that the research provides "an insight into how hot and cold consumption is linked to health outcomes."
She added: "Since consuming hot and cold beverages is a routine part of everyday life in the United States, whether at home or in restaurants, the findings are broadly relevant to daily health choices."
Wu noted that the next step is to conduct more rigorous interventional and proactive studies, as the effects may vary depending on age or health conditions, such as in older individuals or those with poor circulation, who may be more susceptible to the cold.
Health and functional therapy expert Jessica Mack commented to "Fox News" that consuming warm foods and beverages could significantly affect the body's response to stress.
The New York-based therapist explained that warmth could help activate the sympathetic nervous system, responsible for relaxation, and may affect the secretion of mood-regulating chemicals such as serotonin.
She explained that "warm beverages can stimulate the vagus nerve, which helps reduce heart rate and enhances the feeling of calm. Psychologically, warmth is associated with safety and comfort, so something as simple as drinking warm tea or soup can help the body and mind shift out of a fight-or-flight mode."
An SDSU University study was published shortly after another study found that having a cup of coffee in the morning could boost mood, following 200 young adults over four weeks, where researchers recorded an increase in enthusiasm and happiness, even if participants were not caffeine addicts.
