Water plays an essential role in our well-being, but according to science, the temperature of water and when it is consumed is critical as well. There are other aspects that need to be looked into.
Timing is key - Ayurveda recommends the consumption of a cup of warm water along with your meals. Meals in China or Japan are always accompanied by warm tea. For centuries, people in Japan have been following the ritual of ‘Water Cure.’ This entails drinking 4 glasses of water every morning right after you wake up, even before you brush your teeth. What is important is that this water must not be cold.
The quantity - The amount of water one should consume depends on various factors like age, activity levels, weather, diet, etc. However, there are some broad guidelines that may be followed. If consumed along with your meals, approximately one cup is good enough. Having said that, if the meal includes dishes like soup or yoghurt, this amount may be reduced. The ideal amount to consume is important to understand as too much water with your meals may also satiate your hunger before you have eaten enough, and thus rob you of the opportunity to consume nutrients.
If you are taking on an empty stomach in the morning, four glasses are what the Japanese Water Therapy recommends. If it sounds like a lot, start with one glass and increase it to four, over time.
Health benefits of warm water:
Prevents constipation - Intestinal movement is important to avoid bloating, abdominal pain and discomfort. It regulates bowel movement and prevents constipation.
Great for glowing skin - Drinking warm water raises your body’s temperature and helps release toxins. This detoxification, is great for glowing skin and unclogged pores.
Stimulates hunger - When you have warm water, the body has to work harder to bring down its temperature. Thus, the metabolic system is kicked off. This further triggers the mind to demand food and stimulates hunger.
Aids digestion - Drinking warm water early in the morning helps boost liver and kidney functions. Since liver is the primary organ of the body and that all metabolism happens, warm water plays a vital role in breaking down food substances and thus aids digestion.
Helps clear out congestion - Though avoiding cold water when you have a sore throat may largely be an Indian tradition (many parts of the world do not even recognize this concept), it is indisputable that warm water helps clear out congestion and soothes an aching throat. The water helps prevent phlegm accumulation too.
Pain relief from menstrual cramps - Menstrual cramps can be quite painful for some. A warm water bottle pressed against your belly may be your favourite way to deal with period pain, but did you know that drinking warm water can help too? Studies suggest that drinking warm water increases blood circulation, which works as a pain reliving mechanism.
Prevents premature ageing - As mentioned above, warm water consumption removes toxins from the body, through sweat, bowel movement and unclogged pores. The presence of toxins in the body leads to premature ageing.
Moisture absorption - According to Ayurveda, all kinds of water are not absorbed at the same rate by the body. Regular water takes around 6 hours to get absorbed, whereas water which has been boiled, takes only half that time. What is interesting to note, is that Ayurveda does not insist that you have the boiled water hot. It says that boiling water for ten minutes enriches it with energy and stimulates agni which in turn helps digestion. The very properties of water are said to alter after boiling. It is said to be beneficial to sip on this water all through the day, reheating it is not required as the nature of the water is now warm. Water kept overnight loses these properties though. Boil fresh water every morning for best results.
