Benefits of Warm Water and Honey: Best Time to Consume and Common Notable Risks

Ever thought of weight loss? Even the regular workout and diet don’t make any difference? When it comes to home remedies, one of the most common suggested ways to lose weight is to drink honey and warm water, as it can help increase the metabolic rate. I personally consume it on an everyday basis, along with tulsi and lemon and witnessed the benefits of warm water and honey.

In Ayurveda, honey is commonly known as Madhu. It is one of the most essential medical substances that holds age-old benefits and is also known as ‘liquid gold’ in Ayurveda. 

Popular Benefits of Warm Water and Honey

In Ayurveda, honey or Madhu is one of the most essential ingredients that is used both internally and externally to cure illness and wounds, respectively. When mixed with warm water, they combine perfectly and complement each other’s properties. In Ayurveda, this companionship is known as Madhudaka, meaning honey (Madhu) and water (Udaka).

There are many benefits of warm water and honey, which are described below –

1. Boosts Immunity

Honey is enriched with enzymes, antibacterial compounds, and antioxidants, which help in preventing you from falling ill and protect your body from bacteria. Similarly, warm water helps in rehydration, enhances metabolism and improves digestion. 

Consuming honey and warm water can be beneficial in the long term, as Ayurveda seeks a permanent solution rather than a short-term solution. 

2. Honey and Hot Water for Weight Loss

Including warm water and honey empty stomach in your daily routine can help increase your metabolism rate. 

The warm water helps activate the digestive system, and honey, the natural sweetener, without spiking the sugar levels, helps to release energy. The results might not be rapid, but within 8–12 weeks, people notice differences. 

3. Improves Skin Health 

Drinking warm water and honey benefits in hydrating skin, fights acne, and reduces skin ageing because of its antioxidant, healing and hydrating properties. It acts as a natural detoxifier and flushes toxins from the body, resulting in radiant and glowing skin.

4. Digestive Relief 

Honey has a warm nature that helps stimulate the digestive juices and improve agni (digestive fire). Half a spoon pre-meal with warm water is considered to be safe for consumption. 

Additionally, it is also helpful to reduce bloating. Consuming on an empty stomach with warm water every morning can do wonders for your digestive system. 

5. Cough and Sore Throat

For ages, people have been using honey as a medicine for cough and sore throat. When combined with warm water, it helps to reduce the irritation and forms a soothing solution. If consumed regularly, it can prevent you from allergies, seasonal colds and is one of the best ayurvedic home remedies for dry cough.

6. Supports Heart Health

A simple addition to your daily routine can save you from bad cholesterol. Sipping warm water and honey empty stomach has resulted in decreased levels of bad cholesterol (LDL). It supports better blood circulation by reducing inflammation in the arteries. 

7. Increases Energy Levels 

The natural sweetener doesn’t just add flavour to your food, but it is also helpful in increasing the energy level throughout the day, that too without spiking sugar levels in your body. Adding warm water helps to hydrate your body at the cellular level. 

8. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) 

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), known as Grahani in Ayurveda, is a chronic disorder characterised by abdominal pain. In Ayurveda, IBS patients can be cured by consuming a mixture of honey and warm water. It stimulates Agni (digestive fire) and reduces Ama (toxins) in the body. It is preferable to consult a doctor before consuming it, though drinking it on an empty stomach in moderation isn’t harmful. 

Tip 

In case you are on any medication, it is preferable to consult a doctor.

How Does Warm Water and Honey Increase Immunity?

While honey is incorporated with a number of nutrients and antioxidants that support overall wellness, warm water is beneficial in easing the digestive system and hydrates an individual at the cellular level. This combination helps you heal internally, and therefore, your glowing skin reflects the sign of good health. 

Nutritional Value of Honey

Honey is rich in nutrients and antioxidants. It also offers antibacterial properties. One tablespoon (20 g) of honey contains – 

Nutrient	Quantity
Energy	60.8 Kcal
Carbs	16.5 g
Protein	0.06 g
Total Sugar	16.4 g
Potassium	10.4 mg
Calcium	1.2 mg

Fact 

Adding ginger, cinnamon, and lemon to your drink not only adds spicy and tangy flavour to your drink but also increases health benefits. 

What Happens When Lemon is Added to Honey and Warm Water? 

Complete in themselves, honey and warm water are considered to be holistic. By adding lemon to it, one not only adds flavour to it but also increases its health benefits. The benefits of warm water and honey are – 

• Adding lemon to honey and warm water infuses the drink with Vitamin C. 
• Lemon is rich in citrus and therefore it prevents the formation of stones in the kidneys. 

Tip 

Rinse your mouth with water after drinking lemon honey water. In the long run, it can cause trouble with your tooth’s enamel. This happens because lemon is rich in citric acid.   

Best Time to Consume Warm Water and Honey

The best time to drink honey water is usually in the morning on an empty stomach. Avoid eating anything for around 20 minutes after drinking it. 

If you are planning to work out, it is better to drink it post-workout as it can cause stomach discomfort. People also drink warm water with honey before dinner to control their diet.

How to Prepare Honey Warm Water?

• Add a teaspoon of pure honey into the glass.
• To that, add warm water. The water should not be hot. The right temperature of water can be checked by keeping a finger in it for 5 seconds and give a good mix. 

Tips to Select the Best Quality Honey to Consume in Warm Water 

In recent times, people have been seeking natural honey but are often tricked into buying adulterated versions. To achieve the purest form of honey, it is important to understand different types of honey. Charak Samhita classifies honey into four types – Makshika, Bhramara, Kshaudra, and Paittaka.

• Makshika is considered to be the purest form of honey; it is extracted from the reddish variety of honeybee. 
• Bhramara, white in colour, is extracted from the Bhramara bee. It is generally considered heavy to digest. 
• Brown colour, Kshaudra is produced by the small bee. 
• Paittaka is most commonly found, produced by a large bee, and is of a Ghee yellow colour. 

  

While buying honey, one can look into what is the colour of honey, and it is advisable to buy from a trusted source or brand. There are different ways to check the purity of honey at home, some of which are described below – 

Water Test 

It is one of the easiest ways to check the purity of honey. In a glass full of water, pour a small quantity of honey. If it settles down in the glass, it is considered to be pure, but if the honey dissolves into water, then it is adulterated. 

The Burn Test

Pure honey is considered to burn easily. Take a cotton wick and dip it in the honey. If the wick burns easily, it is pure. 

Cautions 

If you are a child, avoid doing this test on your own. Perform it in the presence of an adult. 

The Thumb Test 

It is another simple way to check the purity of honey. Take a small drop of honey on your thumb. If it is pure, it will stay and won’t drip off easily, but if it is adulterated, the honey will wipe off easily.

Common Risks of Honey With Warm Water You Should Adhere to 

Warm water and honey are generally considered to be safe for everyone except –

• Children below 1 year. 
• People with diabetes are advised not to drink warm water with honey, as honey includes 20% more sweetness than sugar. It can result in a sugar level spike.  
• People who have a history of allergy associated with honey.
• Pregnant women are advised to consult their doctor before consuming warm water with honey, as honey contains contaminants that might be harmful to the mother and fetus. 

Precautions 

Excessive consumption of honey can lead to an increase in calorie intake and, therefore, lead to unwanted weight gain.  
According to Ayurveda, excessive consumption can also lead to a condition called Madhvama, meaning indigestion of honey. It is considered to be poisonous and can kill a person.

Scientific Research: Ayurveda Meets Modern Science

As per PMC, honey is commonly used as “Anupana (i.e., given along with active medication to enhance activity) and also, sometimes, for its primary medical property systemically as well as locally, either alone or in combination with other drugs”. It is enriched with properties like Shodhna (purification), Ropana (healing), and Tridoshaghna (Vata, Pitta Dosha and Kapha).

Check out the scientific research on honey and hot water for weight loss.

Study year – 2016

Sample type – Human beings  

Aim – To analyse the effects of consuming honey with warm water post-dinner in obese people.

Key findings – The study, after careful examination over the period of 30 days, concluded that it is safe and helpful for obese people to consume honey with warm water. It helped to suppress their appetite and, therefore, resulted in low BMI and weight loss.

Sources – World Wide Journals

Conclusion

From bees’ creation to Ayurveda’s magical ingredient, honey covers a long journey. During this journey, a companion, warm water, is added along the way. 

Together, they help people to stay healthy and fit with their unique qualities. By incorporating this drink into your routine, you can not only lose weight but also keep your kidneys healthy. But the excessive utilisation can cause trouble at times.

So, you still don’t take this magical drink? Well, it is never too late. Start drinking warm water with honey from tomorrow morning and see the results in a few weeks. 

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