can we drink honey with hot water - #38180
I am just really confused about something I heard recently. I’ve been trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle, and someone mentioned that drinking hot water with honey can be super beneficial. But, I heard conflicting things too! Like, can we drink honey with hot water? I mean, on one hand, it sounds like a soothing drink, especially during the colder months when I'm constantly freezing. Last week, I made some, and it tasted so good! But then, my friend said something about how heating honey can destroy its nutrients or enzymes or whatever. And honestly, I’ve been reading online and there’s all this contradictory stuff about can we drink honey with hot water or not. It’s driving me crazy! I did some experiments, like adding it to my tea and oh man, that was delightful, but am I losing out on the health benefits? I just want to make sure I’m not ruining my efforts. I also sometimes mix it with lemon for a little detox vibe, but should I be avoiding hot water altogether? I guess I'm just worried I’m messing things up! Would love some clarity on all this! 😩
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Doctors' responses
Drinking honey with hot water is a topic with many mixed opinions, particularly in the realm of Ayurveda. From an Ayurvedic perspective, it’s important to understand that honey, when heated above a certain temperature, can lose some of its beneficial properties. Classical Ayurvedic texts like Charaka Samhita caution against consuming honey that’s been heated, as it can be transformed into a substance that is detrimental to the body.
The principle behind this caution is that honey, when exposed to high heat, changes structurally and can become hard to digest, potentially leading to ama (toxins) which Ayurveda considers as an imbalance-causing substance in the body. Therefore, the key thing here is the temperature of the water. Instead of mixing honey with hot water, ensure that the water is warm, not too hot. A good test is to make sure the water does not feel too hot to touch comfortably before adding the honey, keeping its natural enzymes and phytonutrients intact.
For a more conducive and beneficial drink, aim for the water to be lukewarm. When you combine honey with lukewarm water, it can actually support digestion, soothe the throat, and provide a natural energy boost without the risks associated with hotter temperatures. Mixing it with lemon is fine, as long as you keep the water just warm, not boiling.
About your detox vibe – lemon and honey together in warm (not hot) water works well for a gentle detox, aiding in digestion without causing dosha imbalances. If aiming for specific benefits, consume this mixture first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. As always, ensure that you are using raw, unprocessed honey to truly benefit from its properties.
To ensure that you’re gaining all the potential health benefits from honey, avoid adding it to anything that’s too hot. Remember, the idea is to incorporate practices that harmonize with your body’s natural tendencies, keeping your doshas balanced and your agni, or digestive fire, strong. Enjoy your honey-lemon concoction within these guidelines, and you’ll be supporting your health goals just fine!

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