Avoid Cold Beverages

Oriental Medicine recommends avoiding cold beverages. Since this is new advice for Westerners, the wisdom may escape us. Sometimes not understanding “why” makes it more difficult to comply with unfamiliar instructions. Let us share the “why” to better understand the benefits.

In summer, the heat can be oppressive. Many prefer drinking cold beverages to cool off. Cool water tastes better. Iced drinks are seemingly, even more refreshing. However; before you think of adding a few ice cubes to beat the heat, consider the wisdom passed down through the ages.

The Easterners have long understood the thermal nature of foods. Food as medicine is used to heal imbalances. To cool down, it is better to consume foods that have a cooling nature like watermelon or mint tea versus frozen, chilled, or iced drinks. “Cold beverages are neither healthy nor cooling; in fact, they cause the stomach to create more heat to break the foods down, which ultimately damages the entire digestive system. Even in Western nutritional theory, cold beverages are not as cooling as room-temperature ones, because cold causes vessels to contract so that they don’t absorb the liquid”.

The Oriental practitioners recommend patients stop drinking cold beverages. Room temperature or heat is better, with sipping preferred. In Oriental Medicine, excess cold fluids deplete our digestive heat. This slows digestion creating sluggish bowel movements characterized by bloating and constipation. For those with excess moisture in their system, weight loss is even more challenging. The stomach spleen supplies the kidney with the warmth to function optimally. Cold fluids weaken our kidneys and their ability to provide warmth.

As per the philosophy of Oriental medicine, the functions of the Kidneys and Bladder go way beyond that of Western medicine philosophy. Cold weakens the bladder causing frequent urination and getting up to urinate in the middle of the night. Kidney imbalance affects all bone problems especially, knees, lower back, and teeth. Arthritis and joint pain are worsened in cold weather for this reason. Kidneys also control hearing, the entire endocrine system, and even sexual function. On the emotional level, those with kidney imbalances experience excessive fears, insecurity, and lack of willpower. Weak kidney conditions contribute to a tendency to be inactive and unproductive.

When I went to China, I observed, that only warm tea was served at meals. In public places, the hot water dispensers were installed for drinking water. I never saw any person walking around with cold drinks or even cold plastic water bottles.

For those who are in the habit of guzzling many glasses of water per day, drinking fluids heated is a good way to slow it down. Listening to our bodies by drinking only when thirsty is always good medicine, too.

The bottom line, long-term consumption of cold drinks significantly influences long-term health. Kidneys represent the roots of the body, our foundation, and our batteries. Why rock our core for the short-lived pleasure of a cold drink? Seemingly small choices, in the aggregate, are of utmost importance for longevity. It is wise to follow wisdom passed down from countless generations.

Enjoy drinks at room temperature to do your body good.

Shripad Chodankar

August 18, 2022