A female patient who drank iced coffee daily began suffering from gastrointestinal discomfort—including abdominal pain, bloating, occasional diarrhea, and skin issues such as eczema and rashes—and sought treatment at a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinic in Taiwan.
“I advised her to avoid cold foods and beverages and prescribed TCM to warm her digestive system,” Dr. Li Ying-da, a TCM practitioner at Cihang TCM Clinic in Taiwan, told The Epoch Times.
Following the treatment plan, the patient recovered.
Cold-Hot Balance in Diet
In TCM, foods and beverages are categorized not just by temperature but by their energetic properties—how they affect the body after digestion. For example, cold or cool foods such as green tea can lower the body’s temperature, exerting a cooling effect even when the weather outside is hot. Conversely, warm or hot foods, such as black tea and spices such as pepper and cinnamon, have warming properties that support the body’s heat.Zhang, who has studied both Eastern and Western dietary patterns, noted that each culture’s cuisine achieves a natural balance essential for its long-term sustainability. Eastern cuisines often emphasize warm, cooked foods to support digestion and balance, especially in humid or cold climates. Raw vegetables, which are considered “cold,” are used less frequently and often paired with warming ingredients to counteract their cooling effect.
Western diets tend to feature heat-producing proteins such as meat, eggs, and cheese, often paired with iced water or cold beverages. To balance this cooling element, Western cuisines frequently incorporate warming spices such as cinnamon, ginger, pepper, and turmeric, which help stimulate digestion and circulation.
Many Westerners adapt physiologically to this pattern over time, Zhang said. Their digestive systems often become more tolerant of cold foods and drinks, allowing them to maintain balance despite regular exposure to iced beverages.
Adverse Health Effects of Iced Beverages
Drinking iced beverages may temporarily relieve physical heat, but in the long term, it can affect the digestive and respiratory systems and raise the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the effect varies depending on personal constitutions.Weakened Digestion
In TCM, the spleen and stomach govern digestion and absorption, converting food into vital energy or “qi” and blood to provide energy for the body. Unlike Western medicine, the spleen in TCM is part of a system that includes the pancreas and the duodenum (the upper intestine). The spleen and stomach prefer warmth and are sensitive to cold.Cardiovascular Diseases
A study in the Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology found that more than half of 101 patients with atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) experienced the condition within a minute of eating cold food or drinking cold drinks—a phenomenon sometimes called “cold drink heart.” The likely trigger is vagus nerve stimulation from the esophagus. Most of the study’s participants were able to prevent recurrences by avoiding cold foods and drinks.Respiratory Symptoms
For those with sensitive airways, iced beverages may irritate the trachea, triggering coughing or asthma attacks. One 2008 study in Rinology found that, compared to room-temperature drinks, hot beverages are more effective at relieving cold or flu symptoms such as a runny nose, coughing, sore throat, and sneezing.Urethra Conditions
Dr. Chu Hsin-Cheng, director of Taiwan’s Minquan Jingrui Urology Clinic, told The Epoch Times that some people have urinary issues—such as difficulty urinating or a burning sensation—after drinking iced beverages, which may indicate urinary tract inflammation.While eating ice does not directly cause urinary tract inflammation, it can lead to blood vessel constriction, particularly around the urethra, reducing blood circulation, he said. For people with sensitive or inflammation-prone urethras, drinking iced beverages may trigger symptoms.
Populations With Higher Risk
Zhang advised pregnant women to be cautious about drinking iced beverages, as ice cubes may be contaminated with bacteria during production, posing a risk of infection and indigestion. Pregnant women in their first trimester should also avoid cold foods to protect the digestive system and reduce uterine stimulation.Dr. Chou Tsung-Han, a physician at Taiwan’s Hanmingtang TCM Clinic, has observed that most women with dysmenorrhea (painful periods) experience worsened pain after drinking iced beverages. This is because many women have a “cold uterus” constitution that refers to poor vital energy and blood circulation in the reproductive system, often accompanied by a cold lower abdomen, painful periods, and dark red menstrual blood with clots. Women with a cold uterus who eat or drink excessive ice treats or beverages may experience uterine blood vessel and muscle tightening, intensifying dysmenorrhea and potentially leading to increased discharge or difficulty conceiving.
In addition to cold-induced dysmenorrhea, there is a smaller portion of women who may experience inflammation-type dysmenorrhea, such as pelvic inflammation due to endometriosis—a condition that occurs when endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus and causes pelvic pain, Zhou said. For these women, icy beverages may actually help alleviate pain.
Some menopausal women enjoy drinking ice water. In TCM, iced beverages are linked to a “yin deficiency with excessive heat” constitution, in which yin deficiency causes internal heat. Yin is a cooling and moistening energy that regulates body temperature and nourishes bodily fluids. Chou noted that drinking large amounts of ice water long term can exacerbate internal heat symptoms, such as dry mouth, a flushed face, and excessive sweating during menopause. He suggested eating yin-nourishing foods to balance the body’s yin and yang—such as honey water—which can better alleviate hot flashes.
Benefits of Ice Water
For certain groups of people, drinking ice water can offer benefits, such as lowering core body temperature.Tips for Enjoying Iced Beverages
TCM doesn’t completely prohibit drinking ice-cold beverages, but the key lies in choosing the right time and method:- Midday Is Ideal: At noon, the human body is in a yang or warmer state, and the external temperature is typically at its highest, making it a suitable time to drink iced or cold drinks. “At this time, a cooling treat can lower core body temperature, harmonizing yin and yang to enhance comfort and balance,” Zhou said.
- Drink Slowly: Let iced beverages linger in the mouth. To protect the digestive system, avoid gulping down iced drinks, as this can shock the stomach and intestines.
Alternatives to Help You Beat the Heat
In hot weather, beyond refreshing icy drinks, certain foods can help cool the body. Foods with cold or cool properties are particularly effective at reducing body heat. Zhou suggested that people sensitive to heat drink cooling herbal teas or eat watermelon, winter melon, and daikon.Herbal Tea and Mesona Tea
Herbal tea, made by brewing various herbs, is a common beverage in Taiwan. Mesona tea is made from Mesona chinensis (grass jelly herb) and has a fragrant, slightly bitter taste that helps reduce internal heat and lower blood pressure.Melon-Based Foods
Melon-based foods typically have a cold or cool nature, such as winter melon, watermelon, and loofah.Daikon (White Radish)
Daikon also has heat-reducing properties. In summer, daikon can be mashed with soy sauce to use as a condiment, paired with meat.Mung Bean Soup
TCM views mung beans as having the properties of clearing heat, detoxifying, and relieving summer heat and irritability.- 3.5 ounces mung beans
- 34 ounces water
- Wash the mung beans and place them in a pot.
- Add the water and soak for 1 hour.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let the soup sit for 5 minutes before serving.
