DO YOU KNOW THESE AYURVEDA FACTS ABOUT DRINKING WATER?

Water is a basic need of human life. Now that health awareness among people is increasing, people know the importance of sufficient water intake and the detrimental effects of less intake. It is a known fact that a healthy person has to drink at least 1.5 to 2 liters of water every day, but it should be adjusted as per one’s needs and seasonal changes. Water intake in summers could be a little more, say about 2 - 3 liters per day to avoid dehydration and in winters we require less water of about 1.5 liters per day. Also, when we are having desk job, water requirement by our body will be less whereas in a field work it will be more. So now these are known facts. However, most of us are not aware of the judicious way of drinking water which have been explained in Ayurveda. 

Some hints regarding water consumption and its effects on the body 

Drinking water before meals will reduce your appetite and cause emaciation. Drinking water immediately after meals will impair digestion and lead to weight gain. Drinking large quantity of water or liquid during meals weakens digestion. Small quantity of water should be taken in-between meals for better digestion. Drinking water stored in a copper vessel will help to scrape our excess Kapha from the body, improve metabolism and help to reduce cellulite. Drinking cold water or cold drinks just prior to eating or while eating weakens digestion.

Water energised with copper

Store water in a copper vessel or jug overnight and drink a glass of this water next morning in empty stomach, after brushing your teeth. Copper makes the water ionic and helps to maintain body’s acid - alkaline balance. Doing this everyday will help to enhance digestion & metabolism, slows down the aging process, improves intestinal peristaltic movement, regulates blood pressure & heart rate, reduces cholesterol, aids in weight loss. As copper oxidizes naturally, it has to be washed gently at regular intervals. You may use half lemon piece or freshly squeezed lemon juice added with salt or baking soda mixed with water to rub the vessel and then rinse with plain water.

Although water is like a nectar necessary for sustaining life, when used in the wrong way (drinking too much at a time, drinking more than what is needed or drinking less) it may not give you the desired health benefits, also it can cause health problems like compromised digestive function, low appetite, etc. So now you know how to drink water.