Why does drinking icy water cause stomach pain?

Abdominal pain after drinking ice-cold water may be related to consuming untreated water, gastrointestinal spasms, or chronic intestinal inflammation.

1. Drinking Untreated Water

Untreated water contains chlorine-based disinfectants and may harbor excessive bacteria, parasites, or pathogenic microorganisms. After entering the body, it can cause abdominal pain. In particular, drinking untreated water that has been frozen in a refrigerator can intensify irritation to the gastrointestinal mucosa, leading to symptoms such as stomachache, fever, and body aches.

2. Gastrointestinal Spasms

Individuals with weak gastrointestinal function may experience sudden cold stimulation from drinking ice water, which their digestive tract cannot tolerate quickly. This often leads to gastrointestinal spasms, resulting in abdominal pain or diarrhea.

3. Chronic Intestinal Inflammation

In individuals suffering from chronic intestinal conditions such as bloating or constipation, the digestive tract is already weakened. Exposure to the stimulus of ice-cold water can easily trigger abdominal pain.

In daily life, avoid regularly drinking ice-cold water to prevent irritating the gastrointestinal tract and gastric mucosa, which could negatively affect health. When abdominal pain occurs, symptoms may be relieved through methods such as applying heat or gentle abdominal massage.