: In drinking hot, warm, room temperature, or cold water - is water temperature proven to be connected with any health benefit? Is there scientific proof that the temperature of water (e.g., above or below room temperature)

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Asking about "any health benefit" is perhaps too broad to receive a complete answer.

However, several articles address the issue of water temperature and rehydration. Two studies have shown that when you are in a state of dehydration (in these studies, after physical activity), the optimal drinking-water temperature in terms of good hydration and lower sweating (which causes water loss as a cooling mechanism) was found to be 16°C.

To quote the conclusions of both studies:

"When dehydrated subjects drink water with different temperatures, there are different sweating responses together with different voluntary intakes. According to our results, consuming 16°C water, cool tap water, could be suggested in dehydration."

"For athletes dehydrated in hot environments, maximum voluntary drinking and best hydration state occurs with 16°C water.Provision of fluid needs and thermal needs could be balanced using 16°C water.Drinking 16°C water (nearly the temperature of cool tap water) could be recommended for exercise in the heat."

References:

The effect of water temperature and voluntary drinking on the post rehydration sweating

Water temperature, voluntary drinking and fluid balance in dehydrated taekwondo athletes