Does drinking ice water in summer lead to weight gain?

Generally speaking, drinking cold water in summer does not cause weight gain. However, for individuals with poor gastrointestinal health, consuming cold water during summer may contribute to weight gain.

Water is an inorganic substance that contains no calories. Drinking water helps maintain normal physiological functions and aids in dissolving and transporting nutrients. Ice-cold water, which is simply water stored at low temperatures, does not contain additional calories, so drinking it typically does not lead to weight gain. However, frequently consuming cold water in summer can irritate the gastric mucosa and impair gastrointestinal function. For those with weak spleen and stomach function, this may further reduce digestive capacity, potentially leading to a body constitution prone to gaining weight. Therefore, some individuals may experience weight gain from regularly drinking cold water in summer.

Due to its low temperature, ice-cold water should not be consumed frequently even during hot weather, as it may disrupt the body's internal homeostasis and trigger adverse conditions. The key factor in weight gain is the balance between calorie expenditure and calorie intake: if energy expenditure exceeds intake, weight gain will not occur; otherwise, it may result in weight gain. Thus, in daily life, it is important to maintain a balanced diet, engage in regular physical exercise to manage body weight, limit consumption of cold water, and avoid obesity caused by weakened gastrointestinal function.