Most times we are scolded when our mothers catch us drinking water in between our meals. Some experts suggest that it is better not to have water during meals while others recommend that drinking water half an hour after meals is best.
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So, what should we follow and when must we drink water? From an Ayurvedic viewpoint, we must have water whenever there is the urge. No matter before, after or in the middle of a meal.
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But did you know that it favours drinking water while having your food? Here is why Ayurveda suggests you should not drink water before or after meals.
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Drinking before meals: Western thought has linked having water right before meals to improved gastric health and weight loss. However, Ayurveda firmly denies. When you drink water before having meals, you are diluting the gastric fluids in your stomach that are responsible for digesting your food and converting it into energy. Therefore, Ayurveda recommends that you should try to avoid drinking water a few hours before meals.
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Drinking water after meals: Having water right after having a meal has been associated with poor digestive health in Ayurveda. It is believed to impact the state of the food in the stomach directly. Water is a coolant and regularly indulging in consuming it right after meals can even result in obesity. Therefore, this practice is not encouraged by Ayurveda. Wait for at least half-an-hour before having water once you are done with your meal.
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Drinking water in between meals: Ayurveda recommends drinking water while having the meals. Make sure you don’t ‘drink’ but ‘sip’ a minimum amount of water. It will tenderise the food so that it can break into smaller sized granules that are easy to digest. Having something spicy or oily might make you thirsty as sipping water during eating can quench your thirst.
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Ayurveda recommends that you should not drink cold water while eating. Cold water affects digestion and results in the collection of toxins in the system. Ensure that you only drink room-temperature water when having food and do not fill yourself up with it as it can reduce your appetite and impact proper digestion.
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Drinking water before or after meals for medication: You might remember that doctors often suggest taking medicines ‘half-an-hour’ before or after meals, depending on the drug. That is because you should refrain from having water within that time frame. Also, have water only as much necessary to gulp down the medicine and do not have a full glass.
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