Time and again, our elders have advised us to drink water stored in copper or brass metals. Considered very beneficial for our health as such, it is said in Ayurveda that water when stored in a copper vessel can balance the vata, kapha and pitta, the 3 doshas of the body. Is it safe to drink water from a copper vessel during pregnancy? Read on.
This happens by positively charging the water and this stored water is known as tamara jal. It is said that to benefit from drinking water stored in a copper vessel, the water should be stored for at least 8 hours before consumption. Let us now discuss whether drinking water stored in a copper or brass vessel is safe during pregnancy.
In This Article
- Is It Safe to Drink Water From Copper Vessel During Pregnancy?
- Top Benefits of Drinking Water Stored in a Copper Vessel
- Why do Pregnant Women Need Copper?
- What Are the Signs of Copper Deficiency in Pregnant Women?
- Can I Cook Food in Copper Vessels?
- Should I Take a Copper Supplement?
- How to Buy Copper Vessel For Storing Water?
Is It Safe to Drink Water From Copper Vessel During Pregnancy?
It probably is safe to drink water stored in copper vessels during pregnancy, but limited research on the subject has made it difficult to arrive on a sure shot conclusion. Because it is said that copper leaches out in the water stored in it, the effect of the same on pregnancy is largely unknown.
Ancient Indian Ayurveda claims that water stored in a copper vessel gets free of bacteria in just 3 hours and also gets ionized, making it an excellent remedy for many diseases. Though copper is an important metal for our body, it is often argued that a well-balanced diet can provide the requisite amounts of copper and so to include drinking water stored in copper vessels during pregnancy , one must take the doctor’s advice.
Top Benefits of Drinking Water Stored in a Copper Vessel
Ayurveda has it that drinking water stored in copper vessels has the below benefits:
1. Boosts Digestive Health
Copper can help with digestive problems like acidity, gas and indigestion. Copper has properties that enable the food to move about in the digestive tract faster and also kills harmful bacteria in the process. It also reduces inflammation, thus boosting the digestive health.
2. Helps Wounds to Heal Faster
Copper has traditionally been known for its anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties, which enable it to heal any wounds quickly.
3. Boosts Immunity
Copper aids in the production of new red blood cells and strengthens the immune system, especially the digestion by many.
4. Helps With Thyroid
Drinking water from a copper vessel can help regulate the working of the thyroid hormone. Copper water also acts as an antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic agent.
5. Helps With Iron Consumption
We all know how essential it is to have iron in our diet, especially when pregnant. Consuming water that has traces of copper in it helps to absorb iron n the body and thus prevent conditions like pregnancy anemia.
[Read : How Much Water Should I Drink During Pregnancy?]
Why do Pregnant Women Need Copper?
Copper is especially necessary to make new red blood cells during pregnancy. During pregnancy, your body’s blood volume goes up by a double, and copper becomes extremely important. It also aids in forming the baby’s heart, skeletal and nervous systems and the blood vessels. A pregnant woman needs about 1 mg of copper per day while a breastfeeding mother needs about 1.5 mg per day. A nonpregnant woman in the age group 19 to 50 years 0.9 mg per day.
What Are the Signs of Copper Deficiency in Pregnant Women?
Copper deficiencies are practically uncommon, and are only observed rarely in women during their childbearing years. During pregnancy, general fatigue, edema, diarrhea, hair loss, paleness etc. can be some indications of being deficient in copper, but it is best to get yourself checked by the doctor before arriving on a conclusion.
Can I Cook Food in Copper Vessels?
No, you should not cook food in copper vessels. If copper comes in direct contact with food, copper levels in your diet could reach toxic levels. This is definitely perilous. Cook food only in containers that have copper on the outside or have a copper bond with other metals.
Should I Take a Copper Supplement?
No. Prescription of Copper supplements rarely happens because you can get all the copper you need from the food you eat. Unless your doctor specifically recommends a copper supplement, never try increasing the consumption of copper.
How to Buy Copper Vessel For Storing Water?
Once your doctor approves and if you are sure to drink water stored in a copper jug, make sure you buy the right kind of copper vessel.
- Invest in vessels made of pure copper and not mixed with other metals.
- Look for copper purity by carefully studying the shape and design of the vessel. Pure copper is a soft metal and cannot be molded into intricate shapes and designs.
- Before you store water, make sure you have cleaned the vessel with some little tamarind and salt and rinse the same. Never use abrasive materials to clean the vessel as it will scrape the copper lining.
- Always make sure that the stored water is covered properly.
- Let the water rest overnight and you can drink it in the morning.
Storing water in copper vessels is a practice that passes through many generations. However, in this modern era, exercising caution is a must. Do not buy cheap copper kalashs from the market and stay away from adulterated materials. Always take your doctor’s approval and too much of copper cannot be utilized by our body and can prove to be detrimental to your and the baby’s health.
Read Also: Hot Water During Pregnancy – Is It Safe To Drink?
