College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC FOODS

How to Prevent Dehydration & Boost Electrolytes


4.80 out of 5 stars 5 ratings, 287 likes

Customer Reviews

4.80 out of 5 stars
Sign in to review or comment
"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 Cocoa beach, FL

See all reviews

How Does This Ayurvedic Food Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Recipes with Water: Pistachio Pancakes with Cardamom
Recipes with Water: Pistachio Pancakes with Cardamom

Staying 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.

Dehydration

Dehydration 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:
  • Dry or sticky mouth
  • Dry eyes
  • Little or no sweat
  • Constipation, hard or rabbit pellet stools
  • Low urine output or concentrated dark yellow urine.
  • Heartburn (due to less acid production by stomach)
  • Notably sunken fontanel (the soft spot on the top of the head) in an infant

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
Recipes with Water: Salad with Blood Oranges & Lemon Fennel Dressing
Recipes with Water: Salad with Blood Oranges & Lemon Fennel Dressing

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.
Recipes with Water: Cucumber Pear Juice Smoothie
Recipes with Water: Cucumber Pear Juice Smoothie

What should I drink?

Soups, broths & teas
Like everything you consume, water takes effort to digest. It must be processed until it resembles the blood in salinity, sweetness, and pH. Since water takes effort to digest but does not provide nourishment, Ayurveda recommends nourishing drinks, broths, and teas in the place of water. Some examples are soup stocks, herbal teas, almond smoothies, and fruit juices.

Balanced electrolytes
No matter how much water you drink you won't be hydrated until the electrolytes in your body are in balance. Banana smoothies are an easy way to replenish lost electrolytes. Other 'homemade Gatorade(tm)" ideas include adding lemon, lime, salt, or ginger to water. In addition to electrolytes, these ingredients enhance the flavor and digestibility of a simple glass of water. When choosing salt to supplement your electrolytes try to stay away from highly refined table salt as it contains nothing but pure sodium. Sea salt is a much better option as it contains the trace minerals needed for a good balance of electrolytes.

Warm water: nature's most powerful home remedy
Warm water is nature's most powerful home remedy and the #1 alleviant of digestive mayhem. It's also the least expensive supplement. Sipping warm water stimulates good digestion and circulation, and cleanses the bowels. It also encourages sweating which cleanses the lymphatic system and improves complexion. In addition, water flushes the urinary tract, ridding the body of unwanted toxins. And if you can't seem to get rid of those annoying hiccups, just try drinking a glass of warm water!

Should I drink ice water?
No. Think about what happens when you put your hand in a picnic cooler to grab a drink. When you pull your hand out it's numb and pale because your blood has retreated from the cold skin. This is another example of vasoconstriction. The blood vessels have become tight and small, cutting off blood supply to prevent heat loss. So drinking ice water with a meal cuts off the blood supply to the digestive tract, sabotaging the stomach in the moment that it needs this blood the most.

Tap water vs bottled water
Many people are concerned about the safety and quality of the water they drink. Yet, almost all municipal water in the United States is of good quality and very drinkable. Nevertheless, you should pay attention to your local water sources. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets the standards for tap water. Additionally, local water suppliers are required to furnish the public with annual water quality reports. The EPA and American Water Works Association (AWWA) are credible organizations that can provide information on the quality of your local water.

When it comes to bottled water, Americans consume more than any other nation. Bottling water is now a 16 billion dollar a year industry. The FDA sets bottled water quality standards based on the EPA standard. However, the FDA does not carefully regulate the bottled water industry. Most commercial bottled water comes from tap water that is filtered to make it taste better. Examples include Pepsi's Aquafina and Coco-Cola's Dasani. High quality bottled water offers benefits, but may be pricey and all those plastic bottles have the potential to cause a lot of waste. So if you choose to drink bottled water, please recycle.

Chronic dehydration

Some 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.

Sources

Your Body's Many Cries for Water

https://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

You'll receive free access to our entire website including healthy recipes, nutritional diet plans, medicinal uses of ingredients, & ayurvedic health tips. Sign in once and you can use our website indefinitely..

Please register or sign in to continue.

first name
e-mail address*
confirm your e-mail*
enter a password*
(
find out more
Frequency: You'll receive our most popular Ayurvedic health tips every day for a week, and then 1-2 emails a week ongoing.
).
Yes No
Register
  • SERVING SIZE: 1 c

browse recipes

Is Water Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Water' is a good fit. Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.

AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT

Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances. With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you. Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature. By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health. See How it Works.

Metabolic Nature of Water

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

Find Out More

CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

LIQUEFIED

ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIQUEFIED

COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Kapha aggravating

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A hot and oily nature with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body makes Sanguine individuals vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

AGGRAVATES
PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A Phlegmatic has a cold and wet metabolic nature. The coldness implies a slow metabolism, the moisture that you are well-nourished. Phlegmatics tend towards sluggishness and thickened fluids, including mucus.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Water
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Quenches Thirst

QUENCHES-THIRST

An herb or substance that relieves thirst.

SEE ALL 'QUENCHES-THIRST' FOODS / HERBS

Relieves Burning

RELIEVES-BURNING

Herbs that soothe a burn or reduce an internal burning sensation, such as aloe vera.

SEE ALL 'RELIEVES-BURNING' FOODS / HERBS

Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Rebuilds Fluids

REBUILDS-FLUIDS

Herbs or substances that create moisture in the body and increase fluids.

SEE ALL 'REBUILDS-FLUIDS' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Water

  • Honey Dew

    Honey Dew has these Actions in Common

    Rebuilds-fluids, Relieves-burning, Quenches-thirst

    LEARN MORE

  • Jackfruit

    Jackfruit has these Actions in Common

    Rebuilds-fluids, Relieves-burning, Quenches-thirst

    LEARN MORE

  • Summer Squash

    Summer Squash has these Actions in Common

    Quenches-thirst, Relieves-burning

    LEARN MORE

  • Jaggery

    Jaggery has these Actions in Common

    Quenches-thirst, Rebuilds-fluids

    LEARN MORE

  • Coconut Water

    Coconut Water has these Actions in Common

    Quenches-thirst, Rebuilds-fluids

    LEARN MORE

  • Orange

    Orange has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Quenches-thirst

    LEARN MORE

  • Cucumber

    Cucumber has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Quenches-thirst

    LEARN MORE

  • Cherry

    Cherry has these Actions in Common

    Quenches-thirst, Rebuilds-fluids

    LEARN MORE

  • Grapefruit

    Grapefruit has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Quenches-thirst

    LEARN MORE

  • Ghee

    Ghee has these Actions in Common

    Relieves-burning, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Water

  • Red Clover

    Red Clover has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Rebuilds-fluids, Relieves-burning

    LEARN MORE

  • Amalaki

    Amalaki has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Quenches-thirst, Rebuilds-fluids

    LEARN MORE

  • Kanakasava- Breathe Alive Tonic Drink

    Kanakasava- Breathe Alive Tonic Drink has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Rebuilds-fluids

    LEARN MORE

  • Amritarishta (Amrutharishtam)

    Amritarishta (Amrutharishtam) has these Actions in Common

    Quenches-thirst, Relieves-burning

    LEARN MORE

  • Chyavanprash Nutritive Jam

    Chyavanprash Nutritive Jam has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Rebuilds-fluids

    LEARN MORE

  • Licorice Ghee (9oz)

    Licorice Ghee (9oz) has these Actions in Common

    Rebuilds-fluids, Relieves-burning

    LEARN MORE

  • Licorice Root (Yastimadhu)

    Licorice Root (Yastimadhu) has these Actions in Common

    Rebuilds-fluids, Relieves-burning

    LEARN MORE

  • Panchakarma Cleanse

    Panchakarma Cleanse has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Stay hydrated / avoid dehydration

    Stay hydrated / avoid dehydration has these Actions in Common

    Rebuilds-fluids

    LEARN MORE

  • Potassium Salt (Salt Substitute)

    Potassium Salt (Salt Substitute) has these Actions in Common

    Rebuilds-fluids

    LEARN MORE

  • Blue Flag Root

    Blue Flag Root has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Water may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any food for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.

View other ingredients
for Summer

Water is recommended for Summer. Check out these other Summer foods here.
VIEW ALL SUMMER FOODS MORE FOODS FOR VATA / PITTA MAIN INGREDIENT PAGE

HOW 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.
CONTINUE READING

Clinical Tools & Resources

Give smart recommendations to your clients, and improve efficiency in your clinic with these tools.

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 is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's hobbies & specialties include advanced digestive disorders, medieval Catholic philosophy, & botany. He holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. John, his wife Natalie and their 7 kids live in Asheville, NC

Summer Diet

The season is about to shift into summer. Are you ready?

upcoming courses

Apply for Scholarship. Monhly payment plans available.

What is Ayurveda?

Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’

Comments & Impressions of 'Water'

Do you like 'water'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something else you'd like to know about 'water'?

(4.80 out of 5 stars) 5 ratings, 287 likes
Sign in to review or comment

Danielle Creeksong Asheville, NC
2011-09-15
“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."
Anne Beaverton, OR
2014-02-04
“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."
Susan Simonetti Cocoa beach, FL
2014-04-15
“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."
Jess Allen park, MI
2014-08-18
“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. "
Improve Enzyme output & Master your Digestion

Improve Enzyme output & Master your Digestion

BOOKS BY JOYFUL BELLY

BOOKS BY JOYFUL BELLY

Master Ayurvedic Digestion & Nutrition

Master Ayurvedic Digestion & Nutrition

Join Joyful Belly

Want our top Ayurvedic recipes and health tips?
Subscribe to our free newsletter!

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.