Does Drinking Ice Water Make You Fat? Find Out Now

Many Indonesians believe that drinking iced water makes you fat , especially those trying to lose weight. Fearing weight gain, many opt for warm or room temperature water. But is this belief medically true?

Can Drinking Ice Water Make You Fat?

Short Answer: No.

Nutritionally:
ice water = 0 calories.

Weight gain only occurs when the body consumes more calories than it burns . Since cold water contains no energy, there is no physiological mechanism that can convert cold water into body fat .

This is in line with the basic concept of energy metabolism:

• the body adds fat when there is a calorie surplus
• sources of calories come from foods/drinks that contain energy (sugar, oil, carbohydrates, protein, fat),
• water, either warm or ice → does not provide additional energy .

So drinking ice water does not cause fat gain .

Why Do So Many People Believe the Myth "Ice Water Makes You Fat"?

1. Your stomach feels fuller after drinking water.

When you drink a large amount of water at once, your stomach fills up, creating a "bloated" sensation.
However, this is only a temporary effect because:

• some water is still in the stomach,
• some are in the process of being absorbed by the intestines,
• temporary pressure on the stomach wall makes it appear larger.

Typically, these effects disappear within 20–40 minutes , when the fluid enters the bloodstream.

This is not fat, just temporary water volume .

2. Drinking iced water often with high-calorie foods

Examples that we often encounter:

• eating fried food + ice water
• eat meatballs + ice water
• eat fast food + ice water

The weight gain that occurs is actually caused by:

• fried food = 300–500 calories
• meatballs = 150–300 calories
• fast food = 700–1,200 calories

Ice water = 0 calories .

So it's not the ice that makes you fat, but the accompanying food .

3. The Myth That Ice Water Makes Fat Clump

Some people believe that cold water causes fat to “freeze” and build up. This is not true because:

• body fat freezes at a temperature of ±5°C ,
• human body temperature is 37°C ,
• The body has a homeostasis mechanism that keeps organ temperature stable.

The incoming ice water does not lower body temperature so it is impossible to freeze fat .

The Real Cause of Weight Gain

If you feel like you're gaining weight quickly, here are the factors:

1. Consumption of foods high in sugar (sweet tea, coffee with milk, boba)
2. Fried or oily foods
3. Irregular eating patterns
4. Overeating portion
5. Lack of sleep
6. Lack of movement
7. Excessive stress
8. Hormones (thyroid, insulin)
9. Genetics

None of the factors are related to water temperature.

Is Ice Water Safe While Dieting?

100% safe.

Ice water:

• does not inhibit fat burning,
• does not slow down metabolism,
• does not cause fat to accumulate,
• does not interfere with diet hormones.

What is dangerous are cold sweet drinks , for example:

• iced coffee with palm sugar milk → 180–330 cal
• sweet iced tea → 120–250 calories
• boba → 300–600 calories
• cold soda → 150–250 cal

It's the sugar that makes you fat, not the ice .

Conclusion

Overall, drinking ice water does not cause weight gain , as cold water contains no calories and has no biological mechanism to increase body fat. There is no scientific evidence to support the notion that water temperature can affect fat storage. In fact, some studies have shown that the body slightly increases calorie burning when warming cold water, although the amount is not significant.

Weight gain is more influenced by a high-calorie diet—especially from sugar, greasy foods, and excessive portion sizes—rather than the temperature of the drink. Therefore, ice water is completely safe to consume, even while dieting, and can be a refreshing option without the risk of adding body fat.