Whilst it goes without saying that hydration is important no matter what form it comes in, the benefits of drinking water from a mains-fed water cooler are remarkably different to room temperature water from a kitchen tap or even hot water.

Any water and most beverages are key to keeping hydrated, but what can be quite surprising is not only that different beverages are absorbed by the body in unique ways, but also how temperature can affect how they are absorbed beyond the extremes.

Obviously, water that is too hot cannot be drunk safely without risking burning the mouth or the gullet, whilst water that is too cold is too solid to strictly drink. However, where is the sweet spot for drinking water to get the most benefit?

Cold water can vary in temperature and generally has to be distributed at a temperature lower than 20 degrees Celsius. In practice, it is usually defined as water that is less than 15 degrees Celsius when it comes out of the tap.

By contrast, room temperature is between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius, roughly similar to the ambient room temperature the glass is held in, although there are a lot of factors that can affect this.

Typically, the ideal temperature range for drinking water, to allow it to be absorbed by the body and help effectively circulate around it, is between 11 and 22 degrees Celsius, or from a few degrees below the threshold for cold water up to room temperature.

There are differences in how it is absorbed that can make one end of the spectrum better than the other. Cold water is perfect for hot days and intense workouts, as colder fluids lower your core temperature and stop you from sweating more quickly. It also boosts your metabolism slightly as the body works to heat the water.

Room temperature or slightly warmer water helps to gently activate the digestive system, and as it is easier to drink, it also encourages better hydration habits.