A chilled beverage or drink on a hot sunny day can delight you but when it comes to quenching your thirst, there is no substitute for water. Apart from hydration, it has medicinal and healing properties and there will be no exaggeration in saying that the existence of water on earth is the biggest boon by nature. Hydrotherapy or hot water therapy has been practiced for thousands of years with the Sanskrit name Usha Paana Chikitsa that means early morning water treatment. Our body is made up of 70% water hence cells, tissues, and organs need water to work properly but we still take this natural elixir for granted and often forget hydrating ourselves, especially in winter or during busy work hours. In Japan, people do rigorously follow Japanese water therapy or Japanese water ritual. They are not only advanced in modern technology but also in health awareness that’s why they have the longest life expectancy in the world. The benefits of water therapy include the power to fight with many ailments of the body like obesity, indigestion, arthritis, migraines, and allergies.
Table of Contents
What Is Japanese Water Therapy?
Japanese water therapy involves the consumption of many glasses of lukewarm or room temperature water on an empty stomach first thing in the morning for detoxification or preventing various diseases. The believers of this therapy say that cold water should be avoided for this process as it can cause the fats and oils of the body to settle in the digestive tract which can slow down the digestion. Even though cold water can be helpful for improving metabolism and weight loss but Japan water therapy claims that it can be harmful in the long run.
How To Do Water Therapy?
- Drink 5-6 glasses of clean water on an empty stomach in the morning. Initially, you can start with 2-3 glasses of water then increase the amount of water gradually. Lemon juice or a pinch of salt can be added in the water.
- If drinking this much water seems difficult to you then you can drink a few glasses of water slowly and take a break for a few minutes before drinking more water.
- Brushing of teeth and face wash can be done after drinking water.
- You can eat or drink anything after 45 minutes but you must consume your meal within 15 minutes.
- Do not drink anything at least for two hours after every meal of the day.
- It’s advised to refrain from alcoholic drinks a night before starting water therapy.
- The caffeine intake must be stopped during the water therapy as it can dehydrate you.
- Consultation of a doctor is necessary before starting the water therapy.
- Discipline and patience are required to see the positive results which may take four weeks.
Japanese water therapy has innumerable benefits for health, hair, and skin. Adherents of this therapy claim that water therapy can be used for a different time period for treating various diseases.
- Constipation – 10 days
- High Blood pressure- 30 days
- Type 2 diabetes- 30 days
- Cancer- 180 days
Even though it’s quite beneficial for hydration, smooth digestion, and constipation but there is no evidence that water therapy can treat chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and cancer. So medical treatment shouldn’t be replaced with it to treat or manage these diseases.
Water Therapy Benefits
1. Promotes Hydration
Dehydration is responsible for many health problems that impact our body organs and it’s functions. The dark yellow color of urine and the dryness on the skin indicates that our body is dehydrated. Our body needs water after the fasting of long hours of sleep. Water therapy maintains the pH levels of the body with several glasses of water. It helps in regulating the body’s temperature and boosting energy levels. Studies show that water therapy can counter headaches, migraines, fatigue, arthritis, tuberculosis, leukemia, anemia, irregular menstruation, and kidney stones.
2. Can Prevent Constipation
Water removes the waste material and toxins of the body. It helps in the breakdown of food, absorption of vital nutrients, and brings movement in bowels. Adequate amounts of water soften or loosens the stool and prevents constipation. Kidneys can retain electrolytes, filter toxins, and waste with the help of water. Practicing water therapy can recover quickly from indigestion and diarrhea because it fulfills the fluid loss of the body.
3. Enhances The Metabolism
Studies show that water therapy can increase the metabolism rate by 24% and it continues for almost an hour. Water flushes out the toxins from the body and helps in losing extra fat. Improved metabolism helps in burning calories faster and it works really well for people who are on a strict diet. They may feel more hungry but that’s the sign of an improved metabolism!
4. Helps In Weight loss
It’s always advised to drink lots of hot water for weight loss. Even though we can’t rely on water therapy but it can do wonders with exercise and controlled diet. Water gives the feeling of fullness and acts as a natural appetite suppressant thus helps few inches from your body. Thirst is often misunderstood as hunger by many people but the consumption of more water will keep unnecessary snacking at bay. The consumption of sugary beverages will be less or nil because you have already replaced them with water! Nothing would be easier than Japan water therapy to reduce weight and reduce belly fat!
5. Produces New Cells
Did you know that the blood that flows through our veins contains 90% water and high water intake improves blood circulation in the body? Our body has to create liquid plasma to produce more blood. When enough water enters into the muscles as a part of water therapy, it increases the cell volume and helps in muscle production.
6. May Prevent Heartburn
Heartburn can be described as a burning sensation that comes from the stomach. Water therapy can settle the high acidity of the stomach which generally refluxes into the esophagus (the tube that carries food from the mouth down to the stomach). Enough amount of water pushes down the acids and weakens them. It helps to kick start the morning with a healthy stomach and prevents heartburn.
Japan Water Therapy For Skin
Generally, people spend a lot on moisturizers and serums for their face but hydration from within is equally important for flawless skin. Dehydration can lead to many skin problems like dryness, dullness, and wrinkles and these problems can be tackled by water therapy which doesn’t cost you a single penny!
Enough water intake works as a blood purifier and improves the blood flow in the skin, as a result, brings a natural glow to the skin. Most people don’t even know that they are dehydrated but it reflects on their skin.
Japan Water Therapy For Hair
Who doesn’t want strong and healthy hair! Many people face hair problems like dry hair, split ends, hair fall and hair loss. These problems can be a sign of dehydration. Almost all of us have heard that our hair is made up of protein through daily commercials but we have another fact to tell you. Did you know that ¼ weight of our hair strand comprises of water? Hair needs lubrication inside and out. Water hydrates our body, regulates the circulatory system, and helps in lubricating our hair follicles hence makes them shiny and strong.
Risks And Precautions Of Japanese Water Therapy
The excessive intake of water in a short span of time can cause overhydration or water intoxication that may lead to hyponatremia or low salt levels in your blood due to the dilution of salt by lots of fluid. It’s a serious condition that may be fatal, even though it is rare. The kidneys of a healthy person quickly remove excess fluid but people with kidney problems, endurance athletes, or people on stimulant drugs may be at high risk.
For a safer side, you should drink 1 liter of water per hour, not more than that as the kidneys of a healthy person can accept this much water. Another drawback of water therapy is the foundation of the timing of meals. You have to finish your food within 15 minutes. In case you are too hungry, there is a risk of eating fast as well as overeating.
Conclusion
Water therapy or morning water therapy suggests the consumption of an adequate amount of water first thing in the morning which is the best time to drink water. It has several health benefits and also is key to maintaining hydration. Followers of water therapy say that many diseases can be prevented by consuming enough amount of water at the right time but as we all know excess of everything is bad so it’s necessary to mind your water intake as per the capacity of your body.
