Japanese water therapy has been circulating online for years as a mysterious health ritual supposedly practiced daily by the Japanese – a nation known for its longevity, slimness and almost enviable vitality. But behind every Eastern wisdom that the West uncritically embraces as the new super method, there is a need to understand the context. What is a myth, what has a scientific basis and where does the placebo effect end?
Japanese water therapy: Could something as simple as drinking lukewarm water first thing in the morning really have an impact on our health, digestion, and even longevity? Or is it just another internet illusion from the Far East that promises a lot but mostly results in more trips to the bathroom?
Although it is true that drinking more water can affect many bodily functions, one must ask whether a therapeutic protocol that includes specific amounts, meal schedules, and strict dietary rules really brings benefits – or is it just an elegant ritual that satisfies our need for structure and a sense of control over our own bodies.
What is Japanese water therapy?
Japanese water therapy is said to have its origins in traditional health practices, but its origins are foggier than the Tokyo fog. At its core, it involves drinking large amounts of lukewarm water on an empty stomach in the morning, with the aim of “cleansing the digestive tract”, improving metabolism and even treating diseases.
Proponents argue that Cold water is bad for digestion, as it is supposed to “solidify fat” in the body – which, to be honest, is more of a Hollywood metaphor than a fact backed by research. In practice, however, it is a fairly simple ritual that we repeat every day – and which nevertheless has a certain logic in some aspects.
The process includes:
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- Fasting in the morning: drink 4 to 5 glasses of lukewarm water (approximately 160 ml per glass) before brushing your teeth.
- After drinking: wait 45 minutes before eating anything.
- At meals: we eat for a maximum of 15 minutes, then we must not eat or drink anything for two hours.
This is to be repeated every day, and the length of the “cure” varies depending on the problem: for constipation 10 days, for high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes – 30 days, and for cancer as much as 180 days. At this point it sounds more like an ascetic discipline than a daily habit – which brings us to an important question…
Does Japanese water therapy really work?
If we strip away all the sensationalist claims, Japanese water therapy cannot cure cancer, diabetes, or high stress levels on MondaysWe have (thank the gods of science) official medicine for such diagnoses.
But on the other hand, it is not negligible that increased water intake actually has a positive effect on digestion, energy levels, concentration and even moodStarting the morning with a glass or four of water instead of an espresso and a phone in hand can become a peaceful moment – a small but symbolic reset of the day.
Effects on constipation, for example, can be quite realistic. Simple fact: more water means softer stools and easier digestion. Also body temperature regulation, blood pressure regulation and kidney function are directly related to hydration. Water, after all, is not just for plants.
When it comes to losing weight, things get interesting. Replacing sugary drinks with water means automatic lower calorie intake. If we also limit the time of meals (in this case to 15 minutes), we may end up eating less – or not at all, if we are in an episode of “devour everything you see”.
It is important to note that effects of drinking water on weight loss are not unambiguous – research is divided. Some confirm that water helps with satiety and reduced appetite, while others do not notice a significant difference.
What are the risks?
Where there is therapy, there is also the possibility that something can go wrong – and Japanese water therapy is no exception. Drinking too much water in a short period of time can lead to hyponatremia – a condition in which the level of sodium in the blood becomes dangerously low. In extreme cases, this can even lead to death, although this is rare in healthy individuals.
You can too overly strict rules about meal times lead to bad eating habits – excessive overeating, poor digestion and the long-term “yo-yo” effect. When the body senses that we are cutting calories, it increases the hormone ghrelin – also known as the “hunger hormone” – and the metabolism slows down.
In short: if you get hungry after 15 minutes of food meditation, it's entirely possible that your next meal will turn into a mini-feast with questionable long-term effects.
Cold or warm water? Myths and truths
One of the more interesting claims of Japanese water therapy is that Cold water causes “fat solidification” in the digestive tractWell, let's just put this in a drawer with the title “Theories that are too good (or too stupid) to be true.”
Scientifically speaking cold water can slightly increase blood pressure and lowers the temperature in the stomach, but the fat won't start to form into an internal candle. If you're healthy, you can safely refresh yourself with a cold glass of water without worrying about turning yourself into a "digestive refrigerator."
Final thought: lukewarm water and a sober view
Japanese water therapy is not miraculous. It is not dangerous either – if you do it sensibly. Water in the morning can act as soft morning routine, as body reset, which gets you ready for the day. But a medical allowance? No.
If it works for you, great. If it causes you more stress than benefits, feel free to skip it. And if you already decide to have a morning ritual, maybe upgrade it with slow breathing, some stretching – or simply a breakfast that you don't eat in a sprint.
