Health warm water
Is it true that drinking hot water every morning is good for your health?
It is not about doing a lot of exercise or using skincare products,The habit that Maryam Khan and many other people are trying is very simple. It is drinking water every morning.
Many people on the internet are now following this habit and sharing it.
Drinking hot water has been believed to be good for health for thousands of years. It is part of Chinese medicine and Ayurveda among other traditional medical systems.
A concept in traditional Chinese medicine practiced by millions of people in China is that the body contains an energy called qi. This energy flows throughout the body. People believe that illness occurs when its flow is blocked or unbalanced.
Supporters of this theory say that drinking water, cooled to around 40-60 degrees Celsius without burning the mouth or throat helps protect and enhance this energy qi. They believe this can improve health and help people live longer.
Imagine it like a house says Professor Shun Ah, a researcher who studies Chinese medicine. In this system eating food is like cold air coming into your house.
This idea is also behind traditional Chinese medicine practices, such as eating a hot breakfast in the morning.
Maryam Khan, a 21-year- architectural assistant living in London became interested in these simple practices after seeing traditional Chinese medicine on TikTok,She says she became interested in them and started practicing tai chi, a form of meditation that involves movements,deep breathing and meditation,She has stopped drinking coffee in the morning. Started drinking hot water instead.
She says,I did not realize that I was so nauseous because of the caffeine,Then I started drinking water sometimes with mint and lemon in it and I felt so refreshed.
Why are people turning to medicine?
More and more young people are now showing interest in Chinese lifestyle practices that they see online. According to Shyama Kuruvilla, director of the World Health Organization’s Global Center for Traditional Medicine this is part of a broader global trend.
In Europe population-based studies have been conducted says Shyama Kuruvilla. A study in Germany showed that 70 percent or more of the population uses some form of complementary or integrative medicine. In some countries, such as China and India this rate may be over 90 percent.
Some people do not fully trust medicine.This sentiment may have increased after the COVID pandemic,A study conducted in the United States found that trust in doctors and hospitals had fallen from than 70 percent in 2020 to about 40 percent by 2024.
Others may not have access to modern medical treatments or
may choose traditional medicine because it is less expensive.
Some people are drawn to medicine because it treats the whole person,including their mind, body and environment rather than just a specific health problem,Simple habits like drinking water can be a starting point for adopting this form of medicine.
Traditional medicine is also very important to people because of its strong cultural, spiritual and historical roots.
Traditional medicine practitioners and indigenous peoples say, We have been using this system of medicine for thousands of years says Shyama Kuruvilla,We have seen firsthand that it helps people a lot.
The World Health Organization’s Global Centre for Traditional Medicine reviews. Validates the evidence on medical systems. This enables it to provide guidance to governments and patients.It is a very challenging and daunting task. Than one percent of the global health research budget is spent on traditional medicine research says Shyama Kuruvilla.
There is a need to strengthen the scientific evidence base for medicine systems he emphasizes.
Shyama Kuruvilla also advises people to consult their doctor before trying medicine systems to make sure they are safe for them.
The World Health Organization does not set any guidelines on drinking hot water says Shyama Kuruvilla. It depends on factors such as how hot the water's how much a person drinks and their overall health.
It all comes down to two factors: scientific evidence and balance he emphasizes.
What does the science say?
Drinking water in the morning may have some small benefits says Rosie Brooks, a GP and longevity expert.
It helps with digestion and bowel movements a little she says.
She also notes that there is some evidence that hot water can help relax any spasms in the esophagus.
But otherwise drinking water, whether it is cold or hot is only useful for hydrating the body she explains.
Selina Gray, a GP and lifestyle expert at Dr Helen Medical says cold water is perfectly safe to drink.
There is no evidence that cold water is harmful to health she says.
She also warns that some of the information circulating on media is not true. There is no evidence that drinking water can help burn fat boost metabolism or detoxify the body.
If someone likes drinking water and it makes them drink more water that is great says Selina Gray, It is not a shortcut or a magic bullet for speeding up metabolism.
Selina Gray, who grew up in Singapore,where traditional Chinese medicine is widely practiced still remembers the advice his mother gave him.
My mothers words to me to drink water to keep the insides warm still ring in my ears he says.
These traditional practices give us some habits that we feel are natural says Selina Gray. They are easy to follow and culturally embedded.
The purpose of meditation and tai chi
While there is not strong scientific evidence for drinking hot water some traditional practices may be helpful.
For example eating a breakfast made with natural whole ingredients may be a healthier choice than eating a bowl of cold cereal.
There is also no evidence that cold feet cause illness. However feeling warm and comfortable may help a person relax and sleep better.
Some studies have shown that traditional exercises such as tai chi and qigong can improve strength help the body function better and reduce stress.
Most of the time in our lives our minds are in a fast-paced environment says Chinese medicine expert Shun Ah. Our bodies and minds are, in two places. The whole point of meditation, qigong and tai chi is to slow down this process.
Drinking water may not have strong health benefits but it can help mentally says Dr. Rosie Brooks.
It is a kind of routine it gives us that time for ourselves that we often miss in our world she says.
Maryam Khan says these habits have helped her health. For her drinking water in the morning is a way to take a little break for herself.
I see it as an opportunity to calm down take it all in and start my day with a purpose says Maryam Khan.
Water
Lifestyle
Medicine
Health
Comments
Post a Comment