When it comes to slimming down the stomach, people will try almost anything: eating clean and balanced, stacking ab sessions, applying creams, turning to food supplements… But what if one simple, everyday habit could make a difference? Can drinking hot water really help you lose belly fat?
What are the benefits of drinking hot water?
The human body is made up of around 70% water. Water fulfils countless physiological functions and is essential to life. That’s why it’s so important to stay properly hydrated every day — around 1.5 to 2 litres under normal conditions, and more in hot weather. Some people, however, argue that it’s better to drink warm rather than cold water. Very cold water is said to be harmful to digestion, the immune system, thermal regulation, and the proper absorption of nutrients from food.
On the contrary, drinking hot water — a practice advocated by Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda — is said to:
- improve rehydration;
- maintain the right balance of bodily fluids;
- support body detoxification by stimulating the eliminatory organs (kidneys, lungs, intestines, skin);
- boost digestion and intestinal transit;
- promote blood circulation through a vasodilatory effect;
- ease muscle aches;
- enhance overall wellbeing and help relieve stress (thanks to the soothing warmth).
Even more surprisingly, drinking hot water daily — both on an empty stomach and after meals — is said to help lose weight and achieve a flatter stomach. But what does the evidence actually say?
How can drinking hot water help reduce belly fat?
The claim that hot water helps reduce belly fat is based on several explanations.
- First, drinking hot water is said to trigger a rise in metabolic rate and, as a result, increased lipolysis. The idea is that the body is pushed to maintain a stable temperature and, in doing so, must burn calories.
- Additionally, drunk first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, hot water is said to effectively rehydrate the body, kickstart digestion and flush out toxins that have built up overnight.
- Finally, when consumed at the end of a meal, hot water may ease digestion, by helping to break down food (including dietary fats) and by encouraging stomach and intestinal movement.
In practice, no study has confirmed a genuine lipolytic effect from hot water. That said, it is well established that warm to hot water is gentler on the digestive tract and does effectively ease digestion, support regular transit, help combat occasional constipation, and reduce the feeling of bloating that can make the stomach look swollen. It is also true that drinking hot water has a detoxifying effect, as it encourages urination (and therefore kidney activity) and perspiration (the skin’s natural cleansing process through sweat).
So while hot water is unlikely to melt away abdominal fat like magic, it should offer noticeably better digestive comfort.
What’s a better alternative to hot water for losing belly fat?
Rather than simply drinking hot water to achieve a flatter stomach, it makes far more sense to reach for hot drinks with added benefits. Not just any, though — we’re thinking of herbal teas and teas with no added sugar. These deliver all the benefits of hot water, plus a slimming bonus, as they’re crafted from draining plants.
Discover our duo: the Fat-Burning Slimming Tea and the Detox Slimming Herbal Tea:
- the Fat-Burning Tea, crafted from black tea (lipolytic action of theine), energising citrus fruits and digestive plants (green anise, peppermint), not only helps target localised fat around the stomach, but also helps put an end to bloating and digestive discomfort;
- the Detox Herbal Tea, a blend of detoxifying lemon, draining plants (couch grass, meadowsweet) and hibiscus (which helps limit sugar absorption), works to eliminate toxins and reduce water retention, for a less bloated stomach.
Our wellness drinks are 100% natural and vegan, and can be enjoyed as a short course or as part of your everyday routine.