In Ayurveda, India’s traditional medicine science, drinking water is considered essential for maintaining overall health. While individual constitution (dosha) and specific health conditions may affect the individual. Ayurveda provides general guidelines on the right time to drink water after meals.
According to Ayurveda, water intake after meals is influenced by various factors, including the individual’s dominant dosha (vata, pitta or kapha), digestive capacity (agni), and the qualities of the food.
While individuals with Vata pradhana dosha may benefit from drinking warm water after meals to balance the cold and dry properties of Vata, those with pradhana pitta dosha may prefer room temperature water to avoid overheating . This may occur especially after spicy or hot food. For individuals with Kapha dosha dominance, hot water or ginger-infused water may be recommended to stimulate digestion and counteract the heavy properties of Kapha.
Individuals with strong digestive fire find it more comfortable to drink water immediately after meals. People with weak digestion may benefit from waiting a while before drinking water after meals to aid effective digestion.
Ayurveda suggests drinking small sips of warm water before meals to prepare the digestive system and ignite the digestive fire (Agni). This can help create an environment conducive to optimal digestion.
Drinking small sips of warm water during meals aids digestion without excessively diluting stomach acid. It is generally advised to avoid cold or icy beverages during meals, as they can reduce digestive fire.
Ayurveda recommends waiting at least 30 minutes to an hour after meals before drinking adequate amounts of water. Due to this, the digestion process progresses without any interruption.
Herbal extracts such as cumin, coriander and fennel can be beneficial after meals, as they can aid digestion. Drinking excessive water immediately after meals can weaken the digestive fire and hinder the absorption of nutrients.
The choice of water temperature and timing can help balance the doshas, ensuring that the body’s structure is supported. Ayurveda recognizes the importance of careful intake of water depending on the individual composition and characteristics of the food.
Although these general guidelines provide a foundation, individual variations and health conditions should be considered. It is advisable to consult an Ayurvedic practitioner for personalized recommendations tailored to one’s specific constitution and health needs.
Apart from this, you can also opt for herbal water before and after meals. Drinking herbal water keeps weight under control and helps you in controlling many biological activities like blood sugar and cholesterol.