It’s probably not the first time you’ve heard or seen the words “Water Therapy”.
However, if it is, you’re why I’m writing. In an interview in 2018, Jennifer Lopez revealed that taking lots of water was a contributor to her “younger-than-my-age-look”.
When we talk about water therapy, it’s easy for our minds to travel toward the different kinds we’ve heard of. Some of these include contrast water therapy, cold water therapy, warm water therapy, and hot water therapy amongst many others. Yes, you won’t be wrong to think of them, because they are all forms of hydrotherapy. However, in this article, we will be talking about the Japanese form of hydrotherapy which involves “taking lots of water”.
I’m aware we have a lot of questions. These questions include, Does water therapy always work? Is Japanese water therapy effective? Is water therapy safe? Can water therapy cure ulcers? Can water therapy lower blood pressure? Can water therapy help reduce weight and more specifically fat? These are the questions a lot of us are asking. And through this article, I will try my best to give answers through the help of research I’ve come across.
However, whether or not we get satisfying answers to our questions, there’s no denying that water is perfect for our health.
What Is Water Therapy?
Water Therapy refers to all forms of treatments made possible by the use of water, otherwise called Hydrotherapy. However, for the sake of this article, it would refer to drinking cups of water on an empty stomach.
This is referred to as Japanese Water therapy by some. Now, there have been variations in the quantity of water to be taken. However, 3-4 cups of water-160 ml per cup should be fine.
Water Therapy Benefits
There is a lot to gain from following through with Japanese water therapy. Although, much of what is said about the cures brought by this form of hydrotherapy has no scientific backing. However, there is no doubt that constant early water intake helps to flush our systems. And hence, helps to improve our overall health. I’ve listed a few perceived benefits of this form of hydrotherapy.
Weight Loss
You’re probably reading this article for the sole purpose of confirming whether taking water before meals cause weight loss. And if that’s the case, we’re at your stop. Research on the effect of water consumption on weight loss suggests drinking water before meals, “premeal water load” reduces weight. It helps with weight loss by soothing your digestive system and melting fat deposits. It increases body temperature which helps in faster metabolism. This makes it a catalyst for losing weight and maintaining a good body figure.
Overall Health and Fitness
It improves health and fitness, by flushing toxins from the stomach. Hence, making the body energetic.
It also improves blood circulation.
Furthermore, continuous practice according to some has proven to help cure some diseases. Some of these include Headaches, Body aches, Arthritis, Fast Heartbeat, Epilepsy, Bronchitis asthma, Tuberculosis, Meningitis, Diarrhea, Diabetes, and Eye diseases. Also, Menstrual disorders, Ear, Nose, and throat diseases, Kidney and Urine diseases, Piles, etc.
Although it may not be scientifically proven, I’d say it’s worth the try. You stand nothing to lose, as consuming just enough water, is healthy for your body and overall health.
A Journal on Rehabilitation aspects of water therapy in Modern medicine suggests hydrotherapy can aid positively in curing ulcers. Although it does not state what form of hydrotherapy can achieve that. However, Japanese therapy feels the most plausible.
For those of us, asking if water therapy cures constipation. We may have your answer. According to research on the effectiveness of warm water therapy for constipation, intake of warm water may cure constipation.
How Does It Work?
Getting all excited? You should! It’s the most affordable treatment we can give our bodies. If you’re already asking how water therapy works? Here’s how;
- Take 3-4 cups/glasses of water once you wake up in the morning. Remember this has to be on an empty stomach. So it should be the first activity you perform in the morning. The first thing that goes through your mouth into your body and before you even brush. Get it?
- Do not eat or drink anything else until 45 minutes to 1 hour after drinking the 3-4 cups of water.
- Do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours, after 15 minutes of having your breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
P.S. Since I’m not trying to reduce my weight, I usually just follow through with the first 2. I believe the 3rd one helps to reduce your intake of excess food/calories to avoid a wild-goose chase, I’d say.
Following through with the first 2 allows me to play safe. That is, flush my system every day to reduce the risk of falling ill with any terminal disease. But feel free to go all out, adhering to all 3.
Which Is Best- Warm Or Cold Water?
Room temperature water is what is recommended. Not cold water!!. And, although you can use warm water, studies show that it is not very effective against weight loss. So if you’re looking to lose some weight, don’t travel down the warm water route.
You’re probably shouting and saying, “but I’ve seen articles that aren’t against cold water”. Well, when we talk about cold water therapy, most times it’s about cold water immersion (CWI). And it travels a different path than Japanese therapy. The same applies to warm water therapy. So, please, ensure that you’re using room temperature water for your Japanese “hydrotherapy”.
Is there a Downside to Water therapy?
Just before I answer the above question, I’d like to address an issue. Following many tales and hearsay, people more than ever, are asking “is water therapy safe?”. The answer is yes. Now, I may not be able to attach particular research to prove this point. But, it’s evident in the many research works carried out on the benefits of the different forms of hydrotherapy.
Now, to answer the question above. I’d say, the only downside would be having to use the toilet frequently, especially to urinate. But that is exactly how this therapy works to cleanse your system.
However, keep in mind that excess of everything is bad. Hence, excess water consumption is also bad. Overhydration, which is an excess of water consumption can lead to Hyponatremia.
Did I scare you? There’s really no need to be scared. It takes a lot of water consumption a day to actually get to the point of overhydration. As long as you don’t consume over 4 cups/glasses of water within an hour. And over 8-10 glasses within a day, you’re safe.
Although it still boils down to how much water your body can handle. But 8 glasses a day? Your kidney should definitely handle it.
Japanese have a number of days you should follow through with this therapy, depending on what you’re trying to cure. And many people think you shouldn’t be doing it long-term. But, I think it’s best to adopt it as a lifestyle.
Why? Because it’s a conscious way of taking almost half the daily water consumption requirement. For most of us, it’s basically the closest we go to consuming large quantities of water. So why stop?
DISCLAIMER
Do not take any information in this article as a substitute for the need to see a physician/doctor.
REFERENCES
Shatia, .S. & Saraswat, .S. (2019, July, 6th). EFFECT OF JAPAN WATER THERAPY INFUSED WITH CINNAMON ON BODY WEIGHT, WAIST/HIP RATIO, AND BODY MASS INDEX OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESE SUBJECTS.ASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND CLINICAL RESEARCH. INNOVARE ACADEMICS SCIENCES. https://innovareacademics.in/journals/index.php/ajpcr/article/download/34269/20704
Yousigma, n.d. Water Therapy. Yousigma. https://www.yousigma.com/health/watertherapy.pdf
Soputri, Nilawati & Lado, Winnyasri. (2019). The Effectiveness of Warm Water Therapy for Constipation. Abstract Proceedings International Scholars Conference. 7. 475-482. 10.35974/isc.v7i1.1088.
Bracamontes-Castelo, Guillermo & Bacardi-Gascon, Montserrat & Jimenez-Cruz, Arturo. (2019). Effect of water consumption on weight loss: a systematic review. Nutrición Hospitalaria. 36. 10.20960/nh.02746.
Tulanboeva Sarvinoz, & Zokirov Muzaffar. (2022). REHABILITATION ASPECTS OF WATER THERAPY IN MODERN MEDICINE. Uzbek Scholar Journal, 6, 102–106. Retrieved from https://uzbekscholar.com/index.php/uzs/article/view/190