Cancer Causes & Risk Factors Can Drinking Cold Water Cause Cancer? By Lisa Fayed Lisa Fayed Lisa Fayed is a freelance medical writer, cancer educator and patient advocate. Learn about our editorial process Updated on June 30, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Doru Paul, MD Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD Doru Paul, MD, is board-certified in internal medicine, medical oncology, and hematology. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Fact checked Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Angela Underwood Fact checked by Angela Underwood LinkedIn Angela Underwood's extensive local, state, and federal healthcare and environmental news coverage includes 911 first-responder compensation policy to the Ciba-Geigy water contamination case in Toms River, NJ. Her additional health-related coverage includes death and dying, skin care, and autism spectrum disorder. Learn about our editorial process Print There have long been suggestions, disseminated through social media and alternative health websites, that drinking cold water can significantly increase a person's risk of getting cancer. Michael Poehlman / Getty Images Your first reaction might be to laugh aloud and shrug this off as a piece of quack science. But is this really the best way to dispel an unfounded belief? Or are there any seeds of truth here that we might somehow be cold emissing? The "Link" Between Cold Water and Cancer There are some who strongly believe that drinking ice water with or after a meal is generally bad for you. They suggest that doing so will solidify the oily foods we consume. The consolidated mass will then react with stomach acids, converting it into fats that are more readily absorbed into the intestines than solid foods. It is thereafter believed that, as nutrients are rapidly absorbed from the resulting sludge, the remaining fats are left to accumulate on the intestinal walls, leading to the development of things like stomach or colorectal cancer. Separating Fact From Fiction As much as we know that the accumulation of fats is bad — not only in regards to the development of cancer but cardiovascular and liver diseases, as well — the "cold water" theory definitely has its shortcomings. Firstly, when you drink cold or warm beverages, they don't remain hot or cold for very long. As soon as consumed, the liquids will quickly stabilize to the same temperature as your body (as does everything else you eat). Moreover, while clumping of fat does occur, it does so more in the blood vessels than the digestive tract. Secondly, there is a highly acidic environment in the stomach. Stomach acid breaks down almost everything you eat into a thick, liquid consistency before it travels into the small intestine. Finally, the conversion of oils to fats is particularly suspect given that oils are fats. In the end, stomach acids do not convert them to anything but what they already are. The Consequences of Cancer Myths and Misconceptions Beliefs like these might seem amusing at first or leave you feeling irritated. While it's easy to dismiss them as malarky and quackery, the real concerns are those individuals who might be swayed by such pseudo-science and decide to ignore the sound medical advice given them. After all, isn't it easier to stop drinking cold water than to stop smoking? Or to have your third whiskey without ice instead of with? Ultimately, these beliefs are not so much embraced by people as hard facts but rather the means by which to turn one's back on conventional science, where solutions are rarely as simple. A Word From Verywell The bottom line is here that there no need to dispense with the ice cubes or resort to drinking room-temperature milk. What we also can't dispense with are the changes to lifestyle that can profoundly reduce your risk of developing cancer. The fact that we may not always like them doesn't change the importance of incorporating as many of them into our lives as possible. These include: Quitting smoking and avoiding second-hand smokeAvoiding excessive consumption of alcoholPracticing sun safetyEating a well-balanced diet Other ways to avoid cancer is exercising regularly. seeing your healthcare provier, and getting routine preventive cancer screenings. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 4 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. U.S. Library of Medicine. Atherosclerosis. DiPatrizio NV, Piomelli D. Intestinal lipid–derived signals that sense dietary fat. J Clin Invest. 2015;125(3):891-898. doi: 10.1172/JCI76302 U.S. National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus. Stomach acid test. National Cancer Institute. Risk Factors for Cancer. Additional Reading American Cancer Society. "6 Steps to Help Lower Your Cancer Risk." Atlanta, Georgia; updated March 20, 2017.