Photo: Nida

Why do Indian people drink warm water?

Food writer Ashwin Rajagopalan tells us, "According to Ayurveda, drinking warm water with and after the meals balances the internal doshas in the body. Warm water helps aid smoother digestion, as opposed to chilled water, which only shocks the system further.

food.ndtv.com - Why Do South Indians Drink Warm Water With And After Meals?

What food makes heart stronger?

These foods are the foundation of a heart-healthy eating plan. Vegetables such as leafy greens (spinach, collard greens, kale, cabbage), broccoli,...

Last updated Apr 13, 2019

What drinks should diabetics stay away from?

The 3 worst drinks regular soda. energy drinks that contain sugar. fruit juices.

Last updated Jan 6, 2021

Promotion

A post shared by Niranjana Sridharudu (@niranjana.sridharudu) on Sep 18, 2015 at 11:24pm PDT

Drinking warm water facilitates digestion

Let's admit it, summers in India could be harsh. The sweltering heat that could potentially melt the toughest of skins demand for all things chilled. But, what if we tell you that in some of the hottest parts of the country, people still prefer to have hot glass of water over a chilled one, irrespective of what the weather is outside? Yes, you heard us! As you go down south, you would see a unique tradition of serving lukewarm water with meals. Not just local households, restaurants in Kerala and Tamil Nadu also tend to serve warm water with meals. Food writer Ashwin Rajagopalan tells us, "According to Ayurveda, drinking warm water with and after the meals balances the internal doshas in the body. Warm water helps aid smoother digestion, as opposed to chilled water, which only shocks the system further. Another interesting drink you would find in Kerala is 'Chukkuvellum,'which is a herbal and medicated hot beverage made by adding spices and herbs such as cumin and ginger." Chukkuvellum is a common drink served across Kerala. Chukku means dry ginger and vellam means water, a mixture of which is an exceptional remedy to treat cold and cough, too. One can also add coriander (mallivellam) or cumin (jeerakavellam) to the drink.(Also Read: Why You Should Start Your Day With a Glass of Warm Water While the jury is divided on whether one should drink water in between meals or maintain a window of 15 minutes. But, in various Indian cultures, sipping into water whilst having food is a common sight. One of the best benefits of drinking hot water with meals is said to be its impact on digestion. The practice is believed to be tied with ancient Ayurvedic teachings.According to the book 'Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies' by Dr. Vasant Lad, drinking very chilled water during meals is not a good eating practice as it may douse the digestive fire. "During meals, don't drink iced drinks of fruit juice, sip a little warm water between mouthfuls of food," he notes. There are many ancient Ayurvedic practices that are still practiced in south India; the tradition of sipping into hot water while having meals is one of them. Be it traditional feasts, or regular household meals, the water is served lukewarm. (Also Read: Benefits Of Alkaline Water: Health Benefits, How To Make Alkaline Water And Its Side Effects In any case, one should try to avoid drinking chilled water. According to Ayurveda, doing so can disturb the normal functioning of the gastric juices and also upset the balance of doshas. Experts claim that chilled water and even cold beverages contract your blood vessels, thereby, restricting digestion. It also hinders the natural process of absorbing nutrients during digestion. On the other hand, drinking lukewarm water makes the process of digestion less cumbersome for the body. It makes sure the undigested fats in the food don't solidify and stick to your inner lining. In addition to digestion, lukewarm water also facilitates better elimination of toxins, stimulate hunger, soothe throat, cleanse bladder, and also cure constipation. So, this summer, try ditching your chilled glass of water and try the south Indian way. Tell us how it helped you in the comments section.

What happens if you don't eat for 7 days?

If you go long enough without eating, you will use up the glucose in your system and then enter ketosis. During ketosis, your body switches to an...

Last updated Dec 27, 2019

What Vitamin heals your gut?

Vitamin B's and Iron Your digestive system craves vitamin B's to help your body create red blood cells and gain energy from food, but it is...

Last updated Jul 30, 2018

Promotion

What can I eat all day to lose weight?

9 Foods to Help You Lose Weight Beans. Inexpensive, filling, and versatile, beans are a great source of protein. ... Soup. Start a meal with a cup of soup, and you may end up eating less. ... Dark Chocolate. Want to enjoy chocolate between meals? ... Pureed Vegetables. ... Yogurt with berries. ... Nuts. ... Apples. ... Yogurt. More items...

webmd.com - 9 Foods to Help You Lose Weight - WebMD

Delicious foods that help you diet? It sounds too good to be true. No doubt: Weight loss comes down to simple math. You have to eat fewer calories than you burn. "Certain foods can help you shed body weight," says Heather Mangieri, RD, a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, "because they help you feel full longer and help curb cravings." Some even kick up your metabolism. So take this list when you go to the supermarket: Dark chocolate, sausage, nuts, and eggs? They're all on the list. It's about feeling full and satisfied. 1. Beans Inexpensive, filling, and versatile, beans are a great source of protein. Beans are also high in fiber and slow to digest. That means you feel full longer, which may stop you from eating more. 2. Soup Start a meal with a cup of soup, and you may end up eating less. It doesn’t matter if the soup is chunky or pureed, as long as it's broth-based. You want to keep the soup to 100 to 150 calories a serving. So skip the dollops of cream and butter. 3. Dark Chocolate Want to enjoy chocolate between meals? Pick a square or two of dark over the milky version. In one study, chocolate lovers who were given dark chocolate ate 15% less pizza a few hours later than those who had eaten milk chocolate. 4. Pureed Vegetables You can add more veggies to your diet, enjoy your "cheat" foods, and cut back on the calories you’re eating, all at the same time. When Penn State researchers added pureed cauliflower and zucchini to mac and cheese, people seemed to like the dish just as much. But they ate 200 to 350 fewer calories. Those healthy vegetables added low-cal bulk to the tasty dish.

What fruit keeps you hydrated?

“Watermelon is 92 percent water, so it is super hydrating!” says Kimberlain. “Additionally, it's one of those fruits that doesn't have as much...

Last updated Dec 9, 2020

What does a weight loss plateau look like?

What is a weight-loss plateau? A weight-loss plateau is when you stop losing weight despite a consistent diet and exercise regimen that had...

Last updated Jun 28, 2018

Promotion

How much weight can I lose in 1 month by drinking green tea?

Two reviews of many controlled trials on green tea supplements found that people lost about 3 pounds (1.3 kg) on average ( 23 , 24 ). Keep in mind...

Last updated Apr 13, 2019

Learn More »

Promotion

What over-the-counter pill is like phentermine?

TrimTone is a choice OTC phentermine alternative if you're constantly putting in the work with dismal results. This weight loss supplement will...

Last updated Jan 4, 2020