“MISA DE GALLO” HEALTH TIPS
In terms of health benefits, it makes no difference whether one drink hot or cold water before heading out for the Christmas dawn novena Mass, according to medical writer Michelle Hebert. Viticulturist Murray H.G. Patterson concurs. Patterson says, “Though hot or cold will make little difference, it is just a replenishment of the water lost during sleep.”
But there’s a catch. Patterson explains that “if you were to drink something halfway in between, warm water (say, at 40 degrees Celsius) on an empty stomach immediately on rising [in the morning] can help to start the body’s flushing system (urination and defecation), within 30 minutes.”
Therefore, people going out to attend the “Misa de Gallo” shall consider the bathroom situation at the church. They may want to reserve the hot drink after the Mass. The refreshment stalls in the church’s vicinity a number of hot drinks to choose from.