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SERVING SIZE: 1 c "Great article. I have always read n the Ayurvedic books that water is a no-no at meal time and yet I feel that i want..." - Susan Simonetti,  SEE MORE REVIEWS & COMMENTSAbout the Author: John Immel, How Can Water Make You Feel Great?AYURVEDIC ANALYSISStaying Hydrated: Ayurveda's Approach to the Essence of Life Water is the essence of life. Without it you cannot go on living. In fact, the sheer volume of water on Earth is what makes this planet unique. But how much do you really need? And when is enough simply enough? Proper hydration is essential for health and thus a somewhat controversial topic. Although modern medicine claims that more water is better, the ancient Ayurvedic texts discourage drinking large amounts of water, and recommend a more individualized approach to fluid intake.The average person loses 3-4 liters (about 10-15 cups) of fluid a day. This may seem like a lot, but when you consider that sweat, urine, breathing and bowel movements all contribute to loss of fluids, the numbers start to make sense. Water vapor in the breath alone is responsible for 1-2 liters of water loss a day. Exercise, illness and other factors can significantly increase the rate of water loss. As your fluids drop, it causes blood volume and blood pressure to drop too. Once pressure drops below a certain threshold or the concentration of salt becomes too high in your body, your brain triggers thirst. That means a high salt diet could make you more thirsty. Swelling, inflammation, and water retention could also make you drink more water than normal. Absorption of fluids by dry foods like corn chips & granola bars could deplete fluid levels as well. DehydrationDehydration can be the source of much dis-ease in the body. It can cause poor circulation, poor digestion, and fatigue. There are two types of dehydration, extracellular and intracellular. Extracellular dehydration is a result of the total amount of blood fluids dropping below a certain threshold. This type of dehydration happens outside and independently from the cells and is usually due to lack of fluid intake. Intracellular dehydration occurs when the concentration of sodium in the blood is too high, encouraging water migration out of cells due to osmotic pressure. This type of dehydration can be caused by an excess amount of sodium in the diet and a lack of electrolytes in the body.You may be dehydrated if you notice one or more of these signs and symptoms:
What about my urine? Dark yellow urine is a sign of dehydration. Clear urine is either a sign of too much water or kidney flushing. When water and electrolytes are balanced, and the kidneys are functioning properly, the urine will be a light yellow color. Water & Digestion Adequate hydration is the essential ingredient that makes digestion work. Fluids form the backbone of digestion and water provides the medium for all enzymatic activity. Dehydration makes it impossible for your stomach to secrete the two-thirds of a liter of hydrochloric acid it needs to digest a meal. Drinking warm water 20-30 minutes before eating can improve digestion by up to 24%. Make a habit of drinking a glass of warm water every morning to warm up your blood and gently wake up your digestive organs. "Water before a meal is nectar. It replenishes fluids and encourages juicy digestive organs. Small sips during a meal is honey. It helps turn the food into a sauce. Water after a meal is poison because it dilutes stomach acids." - Dr. Vasant Lad How much water should I drink?This depends on the individual. Blood that is rich in sugars, fats, salt and proteins, typical of a Kapha, also has a lower osmotic pressure that tends to encourage water retention. The blood's thickness also obstructs the kidneys' ability to extract fluids from the blood. Kapha people should thus limit water consumption to 4-6 glasses a day and also employ diuretics such as parsley & celery as regular dietary supplements or herbs such as dandelion or punarnava.Conversely, thin, deficient blood (typical of Vata) has the opposite effect encouraging leaky kidneys. Vata individuals may also be chronically dehydrated no matter how much water they drink due to kidney flushing. To thicken the blood Vata should eat more sweet taste, including carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. A wedge of lime and a pinch of salt in warm water helps Vata people retain more fluids, along with anti-diuretic herbs such as Licorice root. Vata people should drink 8-10 glasses of water a day and should avoid diuretic foods. Pitta imbalanced individuals lose water and electrolytes quickly through sweat, urine, and loose stools. They should increase their water consumption (6-8 glasses a day) and make sure to fortify it with electrolytes. Can I drink too much water? Yes. Ever get the feeling that drinking too much water has become an addiction, that your mouth is dry no matter how often you tip the bottle, and that you pee like crazy but still feel thirsty? When you drink too much water, you pee too much, which also depletes your electrolytes. Electrolytes help you retain water, keep your palate moist, and truly quench your thirst. Once you've lost them in your pee, you feel dehydrated. Clear urine is a clear sign the modern epidemic of overhydration could be drying you out. Modern medicine, TV ads, and bottled water companies all tout the advantages of adequate hydration. In addition to these nuggets of wisdom, it's important to know when enough is enough. Too much water also makes your stomach feel bloated and heavy, and overburdens digestive organs. When should I drink water? An easy routine to prevent dehydration is to drink a glass of water when you wake up, a 1/2hr before meals, and before you go to bed. If you tend to get dehydrated, you might also want to drink a glass of water between meals. A soup-based diet also helps to keep a person hydrated. What should I drink?Soups, broths & teas
Chronic dehydrationSome people are chronically dehydrated no matter how much water they drink. These individuals tend to pee clear urine within a 1/2 hr after drinking a glass of water. The most common causes of chronic dehydration include stress, cold weather, and kidney flushing.Dehydration, stress & cold weather Stress and cold temperatures cause the blood vessels to constrict. The constriction of blood vessels is called vasoconstriction. Much as squeezing a balloon raises the air pressure inside the balloon, vasoconstriction causes blood pressure to rise. The kidneys are one of the organs that regulate constant blood pressure. They release water from blood circulation into the urine to compensate for the increase in blood pressure, deflating the baloon. The result is dehydration. Taking steps to de-stress your life and wearing warm, appropriate clothing in the cool months can thus help to prevent dehydration. Kidney flushing Kidney flushing occurs when the kidneys flush toxins from the blood into the urine, resulting in a higher than normal urine output. Often poor digestion can be the source of toxicity. Poorly digested food tends to ferment in the intestines. As bacteria ferment the food, they release toxic metabolic waste products into the gut. The intestines, engineered to absorb nutrients, also absorb some of the toxin into the bloodstream. This is a great reason to keep your digestive tract in peak health. There are also herbs that help prevent kidney flushing and reduce loss of fluids. Try Sensitive Stomach Tea, found at: (https://www.joyfulbelly.com/Ayurveda/products/Sensitive-Stomach-Tea:-Calm-Digestion/199) Lack of thirst Sometimes weak digestion and excess stress can prevent you from noticing when you are thirsty. The sensation of thirst also diminishes in adults over fifty years old. If you have trouble recognizing thirst you should pay careful attention to signs of dehydration and take in adequate fluids as necessary. Water makes me feel full. Some people feel full after drinking a small quantity of water. This may be due to weak digestion and insufficient acid production in the stomach. Ayurveda says "It takes a fire to get thirsty." To increase digestive capacity, drink a glass of warm water with a wedge of lime or lemon, a pinch of salt, and a slice of ginger. SourcesYour Body's Many Cries for Waterhttps://www.watercure.com/faq.html Tony Robbins' Book: Unleash the Power Within [Charaka Su 5:13] [Ashtanga Hrdayam. Su 5:15-17] Learn about the health benefits of Water for FREE
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WHY SHOULD YOU EAT AYURVEDICALLY?Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. An Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body type and the specific imbalances you are working with at any given time. Foods that supplement your specific body type’s needs and digest easily create your menu. Watch as you eat less but feel more satisfied because what you are eating truly nourishes you. Since Ayurveda believes all disease begins in the digestive tract, food is your first medicine. By eating a healthy diet that’s ideal for your body, you experience optimal health.Is Water Good for Me?MEDICINAL QUALITIES
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary.
The list of actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.Digestion: Quenches thirst QUENCHES-THIRSTAn herb or substance that relieves thirst.Cleanse and Detox: Detoxicant DETOXICANTAn herb that eliminates or metabolizes toxins from the body.Heart & Circulation: Rebuilds Fluids REBUILDS-FLUIDSHerbs or substances that create moisture in the body and increase fluids.Kidney & Urinary: Diuretic DIURETICHerbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.Bowel-Poop-Elimination: Relieves burning RELIEVES-BURNINGHerbs that soothe a burn or reduce an internal burning sensation, such as aloe vera.AYURVEDIC PRACTITIONERS!(Not you? Keep scrolling!) Are you struggling with your health?Learn how to feel your best by balancing your diet in just a week.How to Use Food AyurvedicallyHOW DOES EATING AYURVEDICALLY MAKE YOU FEEL?Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. Food digests with ease when right for your body type (dosha). Healthy digestion is seen as the cornerstone of well-being in Ayurveda. Healthy digestion generally prevents illness. If you do get sick, a strong digestive fire reduces the severity of illness and increases your resilience. It also improves your mood. Once you begin eating Ayurvedically, you will feel refreshed, vital and strong. View Other Ingredients for Autumn-WinterWater is recommended for Autumn-Winter. Check out these other Autumn-Winter ingredients here.Comments & Impressions of 'Water'Do you like 'water'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something you'd like to know about 'water'?
Thank you, very thorough an easy to read/integrate. Much appreciate all the work that has gone into this.
Woud suggest you make people aware of the necessity of the "bio availability of water" which can only be found in clustered water, no reverse osmosis, or bottled water.
Blessings,
OM SHANTI,
christina richa devi
www.ompalace.ca
Thank you for a very informative article
Overall, this is a great article--but it leaves the very important questions of municipal water additives: chlorine, flouride, chemicals added to keep pipes in good shape, etc., along with pharmaceuticals and pesticides that pour with municipal water from your faucet into your glass--unanswered. Rather than buying bottled water: purchasing filtered water that you refill your own containers with, or buying and installing your own home filter (ask the right questions to make sure how well these filters work) would seem to be the much wiser and safer choice. I am one of many people who does not see the EPA as a credible organization, and I would need to know a lot more about the AWWA before choosing to believe them either.
When Ayurvedic texts recommend to drink warm water, is it like boiled plain water or can it be a tea? thanks
Hello! I so appreciated another view on water and the quote by Dr. Vasant Lad. It is a simple one to remember and live by. After contemplating the information I have one question. I take a packet of supplements (probiotics, vitamins and oils) each day with lunch, I drink about a glass of water with these supplements. Any suggestions for doing this differently? Thank you!
This is a very well written and informative article.
I drink water at room temp. Is this considered warm water? I, too, am concerned with drinking tap water. There are 'boil water advisories' that are broad casted often in my area. I dont listen to the local radio station every day and am afraid that I will miss hearing one of those advisories. Also, what about bathing? Breathing steam is intake of water and whatever may be in it. This article was very good, but there is a lot more that can be taught to us about fluid intake. Thanks for the information you have put together for us.
I eat bananas daily - am very dry mouth,dry eyes and have been told am very low on electrolytes. I need a good homemade "gatorade". I have been drinking hot water for years. thank you for this item - I have been looking for information on taking care of my dryness.
I don't understand why Dr. Lad and others recommend a lassi drink right after eating as a digestive aid if, as he says in the quote, water after a meal is poison because it dilutes stomach acids? Thank you for clearing up a lot of mystery around water intake.
Great article. I have always read n the Ayurvedic books that water is a no-no at meal time and yet I feel that i want and need some water with my meal. I'm a V/P. I am going to start the water 5 bites in and see if my digestion improves. Thanks for the info.
Anne, if I understand correctly, a lassi drink actually encourages stomach acid, or at least, provides a more acidic environment (since it's diluted yogurt). If it's spiced, it's better still since it adds more 'fire' to the liquid as well. If it was just plain water, it's just that: pure element of water, and what does water do? Put out fires, granted that it's enough to do so. So, by adding the yogurt, you're imparting more fire (from the sour/acidic effect) to the liquid. Spices will add even more, so this would be an excellent digestive aid for vatas.
a traditional home remedy for
This information has not been validated by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.
Diet Irregular ThirstDigestion Pancreatic Insufficiency, Strong/frequently thirsty
About the Author John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda exudes a certain ease, which many find enjoyable and insightful. His online course Balance Your Ayurvedic Diet in a Week provides tools for gracefully healing with Ayurveda to thousands. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda , which specializes in digestive tract pathology & Ayurvedic nutrition. John and his wife Natalie recently published Explore Your Hunger: A Guide to Hunger, Appetite & Food.John's interest in Ayurveda and digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, including his public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well. |
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