Lung function responses to cold water ingestion: A randomised controlled crossover trial

Louise A Turner; Nicholas B Tiller

doi:10.1016/j.resp.2023.104161

Lung function responses to cold water ingestion: A randomised controlled crossover trial

Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 2023 Dec:318:104161. doi: 10.1016/j.resp.2023.104161. Epub 2023 Sep 12.

Authors

Louise A Turner¹, Nicholas B Tiller²

Affiliations

¹ School of Sport and Exercise, University of Gloucestershire, Gloucester, UK. Electronic address: lturner14@glos.ac.uk.
² Institute of Respiratory Medicine and Exercise Physiology, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA.

PMID: 37703924
DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2023.104161

Abstract

This study tested the hypothesis that cold water ingestion would reduce lung function and thereby confound its measurement in a way that is mediated by both temperature and volume. In a randomised crossover trial, 10 healthy adults performed spirometry before and 5, 10, 15, and 30-minutes after consuming one-of-four drinks: 500 mL or 1000 mL refrigerated water (∼2 °C); identical water volumes at ambient temperature (∼18 °C). Ingesting 1000 mL cold water significantly reduced forced vital capacity (FVC) for at least 10 min (mean difference =0.28 L, p < 0.05, d=1.19) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁) for at least 15 min (0.20-0.30 L, p < 0.05, d=1.01). Ingesting 500 mL cold water reduced FEV₁ for 5 min (0.09 L, p < 0.05, d=1.05). Room-temperature water had no influence on lung function. To avoid confounding the measurement of lung function, we conclude that individuals should avoid drinking cold water, especially in large volumes, immediately prior to a given test.

Keywords: Beverage; Cold drink; Lung function; Pulmonary function.