This email also does the rounds as 'Drinking Cold Water After Your Meal Causes Cancer'

> > Below article is really informative and I think it applies to most of us.
> > Please note.......
> > Heart Attacks And Drinking Warm Water
> >
> >
> > (Embedded image moved to file: pic06334.jpg)
> > This is a very good article. Not only about the warm water after your
> > meal,
> > but about (Embedded image moved to file: pic26500.gif)Heart Attacks . The
> > Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals, not cold water, maybe
> > it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating.
> >
> >
> >
> > (Embedded image moved to file: pic19169.jpg)
> >
> > For those who like to drink cold water from the fridge, this article is
> > applicable to you,because you are in great danger.It is nice to have a cup
> > of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily
> > stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once
> > this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by
> > the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very
> > soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot
> > soup or warm water after a meal.
> >
> > Common Symptoms Of Heart Attack...
> > A serious note about heart attacks - You should know that not every heart
> > attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense
> > pain in the jaw line.
> >
> > You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart
> > attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of
> > people
> > who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the
> > jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The
> > more we know, the better chance we could survive.
> >
> > A cardiologist says if everyone who reads this message sends it to 10
> > people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life. Read this &
> > Send
> > to a friend. It could save a life. So, please be a true friend and send
> > this article to all your friends you care about.

While it definitely can't hurt you, keep in mind that warm water does not break down your food or aid in disgestion, it is the hydrochloric acid in your stomach.  The funniest thing about the email is that it doesn't even mention heart attacks being caused by not drinking warm water, it goes on about you getting cancer instead.  Then it describes symptoms of a heart attack - hello, like that doesn't make you wonder?

Get serious, if this was a major causing factor of cancer or heart attacks, (heart disease being one of the biggest killers in the western world and all), don't you think that it would be common knowledge?  Do you know it costs the government a lot of money to treat sick people, and death isn't cheap either, it isn't in their best interest to allow thousands of deaths.

Snopes - false.

Hoax-slayer - false.

About.com: Urban legends - false.

A reason that many cultures prefer to drink hot water or tea after their meals, is that they need to boil their water to be sure that it is safe to drink.  They also have teas with many herbal properties that may aid digestion or create a sense of well being.