What does cold water do to blood pressure?

Although taking a cold shower may not be a pleasant experience, it can provide certain health benefits. One 2014 review, for example, suggests that cold water can:

An older study, this time from 2000, investigated the effects of different water temperatures on bodily reactions. In the cold water condition, the researchers submerged participants in 57.2°F (14°C) water for 1 hour. The participants experienced the following effects (some of which may not necessarily be beneficial to health):

Some beneficial effects of cold water immersion include:

Exposure to cold water causes the blood vessels on the surface of the skin to constrict. This diverts blood flow away from the surface of the skin. In fact, one small 2019 study found that taking a cold shower after exercise may improve general hydration by cooling down the body.

As blood travels away from the skin, blood vessels in deeper body tissues dilate. This improves circulation in the deeper tissues.

Cortisol is the “fight-or-flight” hormone that the body releases in response to stress.

Lowering cortisol levels in the blood may therefore help reduce stress levels. Researchers note that when people immerse themselves in a bath of cold water, their cortisol levels drop.

According to a 2014 review, cold water exposure triggers an automatic pain response called stress-induced analgesia (SIA).

SIA is a reduced pain response during or following exposure to a stressful stimulus, such as cold water immersion.

One older study from 2009 tested the effects of cold water immersion on physical performance among athletes. Following sports, some of the athletes received cold water immersion, while others received tepid water immersion.

The researchers did not find any differences in subsequent physical performance between the two groups, nor did they find any differences in the amount of muscle damage or inflammation the participants experienced.

However, perceptions of muscle soreness and general fatigue were significantly lower in the group that received the cold water immersion. This psychological effect could prove beneficial during competitive sports.

Benefits of taking a cold shower include:

Adam Friedman, MD, says if you have itchy skin or skin conditions that cause you to itch, cold showers can help you overcome the sensation to scratch.

When that cold spray hits your body, there’s a bit of shock. This shock increases:

Increased circulation is one of the top reasons experts recommend cold showers.

As cold water hits your body and external limbs, it constricts circulation on the surface of your body. This causes blood in your deeper tissues to circulate at faster rates to maintain ideal body temperature.

In that sense, a cold shower has the opposite effect of a hot shower for someone with hypertension or cardiovascular disease, since exposure to cold temperatures triggers the circulatory system to reduce inflammation and can help prevent cardiovascular disease.

Since cold water has regenerative properties, your muscles will relax and repair after a tough workout.

Some fat cells, such as brown fat, can generate heat by burning fat. They do this when your body is exposed to cold conditions like in a shower.

Gerrit Keferstein, MD, says these cells are mostly situated around the neck and shoulder area. So, perfect for showers!

Though scientific research is limited regarding the effect cold water has on your skin and hair, anecdotal evidence points to positive effects.

Wellness expert Dr. Jacqueline Schaffer, MD, says that cold water tightens and constricts the blood flow which gives your skin a healthier glow.

According to an article published on the website NaturallyCurly.com, cold water closes and strengthens your hair cuticles.

Also, cold water, unlike hot water, doesn’t dry out the sebum layer, a naturally lubricated barrier that provides protection for your skin and hair.

As a result of the effects of cold water, your hair may be more likely to become stronger and healthier over time.

If you’re convinced a cold shower is totally out of the question, you might want to rethink your philosophy. Unlike the long list of benefits that come with taking a cold shower, the list of cons is surprisingly quite short.

It has been reported that drinking cold water lowers the core temperature (25), and in this study, the core temperature also decreased after water drinking. Cold exposure of the body surface is known to cause a decrease in peripheral blood flow and increased venous return, cardiac output, and blood pressure (26).