We know that proper hydration is essential to life, and proper digestion only exists with adequate hydration.
But how much do we need and when is enough, enough? There are general guidelines for water intake but like everything in Ayurveda, an individualized approach is best.
Signs of dehydration: dry eyes, itchy skin, dry or sticky mouth, little or no sweat, constipation or hard pellet stools, low urine output or concentrated dark yellow urine, heartburn, noticeably sunken fontanel of an infant (soft spot on the top of the head).
An easy routine to prevent dehydration is to drink a glass of water when you wake up, a 1/2 hour before each meal, and again before you go to bed. Drinking too much during and right after a meal dilutes the fires of digestion. And don’t forget that soups, broths, fruit juices, smoothies, and herbal teas are nourishing and hydrating.
Warm water is nature's most powerful home remedy for digestive upset and slow downs. Sipping warm water stimulates good digestion and circulation as well as moves toxins and cleanses the bowels. It also encourages sweating which in turn cleanses the lymphatic system.
A warm glass of water even is the trick for hiccups!
Drinking cold water (water with ice) cuts off blood supply to the digestive tract, particularly when you are eating a meal. Don’t extinguish the fire of digestion!
Stress and cold temperatures cause the blood vessels to constrict. This in turn causes blood pressure to riseand because the kidneys help regulate blood pressure, they release water from blood circulation into the urine to compensate for the increase in blood pressure. Taking steps to de-stress your life and wearing appropriate clothing in the cold can help prevent dehydration.
Adding lemon, lime, salt* or ginger to water ensures your electrolytes are in balance. Adding lemon can help "get the trains moving on time" through your digestive tract while ginger aids in overall good digestion, and lime is cooling to the system.
*sea salt is a better option than table salt. It has trace minerals needed for a good balance of electrolytes.
How much water should you drink?
Like so many things in Ayurveda, it depends on the individual.
As a rule:
Kaphas may benefit from 4-6 glasses a day and adding diuretics such as parsley and celery or similar herbs.
Pittas benefit from 6-8 glasses of water a day and make sure to fortify it with electrolytes.
Vatas should drink 8-10 glasses of water a day and would benefit from a wedge of lime & a pinch of salt in warm water to help retain fluids