Preparing for Summer: "No Ice Water" Challenge Re-visited

As the weather gets hotter and summer approaches, I wanted to re-visit the "No Ice Water" challenge.

 Are you ready to take the "No Ice Water"  challenge?

After eating out several times recently and looking at those big glasses of ice water servers bring to the table as soon as you sit down, I decided it was time to write more about how we drink water. Drinking a lot of water with a meal and especially ice water dampens your digestion and your digestive fire. Imagine pouring water on a fire and expecting it to burn efficiently! In addition, ice water is more drying than room temperature or hot water, and ice is constricting. We do not want to constrict or dampen our digestive process. I know it is hard to change ingrained habits, so I am asking you to consider trying the challenge for just ONE WEEK and noticing the effects on your body and digestion.

Take small sips of warm (room temperature is okay) water with your meals as that aids digestion and absorption. When you are eating out, ask for either hot or room temperature water, and make the one glass last the entire meal.

 It is fine to drink a large glass of water in between meals, either warm or at room temperature.

During the hot days of summer, you might be tempted to drink a big glass of water filled with ice, but room temperature or cool water is much better for you.  When you drink an ice drink, it might feel great at first, but your body has to heat up to digest it so internal heat is created..  Having warm drinks actually cools the inside of your body.

Have fun with the no ice water challenge, and feel free to post any observations!