What Type of Water Should You Drink? | Bodhi TCM Acupuncture

Bodhi TCM Acupuncture | Melbourne FL | Wellness list - 9/16/2025

The other day I saw someone drinking a big bottle of alkaline water… with a heavy lunch.

And it reminded me—most people don’t know that timing and type of water really matter.

That’s not their fault. There’s so much conflicting advice out there. 

But if you’re trying to heal, reduce inflammation, or support your digestion…

Hydration can either help you—or slow you down.

What’s in this post:

• Why hydration is one of the core pillars of healing

• Which types of water to drink (and what to avoid)

• When to add electrolytes, minerals, or warm water

• Why hydration matters for healing

In Chinese medicine, water is tied to Kidney function, fluid metabolism, and the movement of Qi and Blood.

In modern science, hydration affects:

• Circulation

• Lymphatic drainage

• Digestion

• Detoxification

• Cognitive clarity

• Joint and muscle recovery

So if you’re dehydrated, your body can’t repair tissue, reduce inflammation, or absorb nutrients—no matter how clean your diet is.

That’s why hydration is one of our 5 pillars of health.

It supports every other system in the body—including the ones we treat most often: pain, fatigue, digestion, and immunity.

But not all water is created equal

Here’s a quick breakdown of what we recommend (and when):

✅ Room-temperature water

• Best for daily hydration—easiest on your digestive system

• Supports Stomach and Spleen function (your Qi-producing organs)

• Avoid cold water, especially in the morning—it “shocks” digestion and slows metabolism

✅ Reverse osmosis (RO) water

• Excellent for filtering toxins, but it also removes minerals

• Always add minerals back in (electrolyte drops, sea salt, trace mineral blends)

✅ Alkaline water (occasionally)

• Can help reduce inflammation in small doses

• Avoid drinking it with meals—it could interfere with digestion by neutralizing stomach acid.

• Not ideal for long-term, daily use unless clinically recommended

✅ Electrolytes

• Helpful if you sweat a lot, do sauna/cold plunge, or are recovering from illness

• Choose clean brands without artificial sweeteners or additives

What I don’t recommend

❌ Cold water first thing in the morning

❌ Iced drinks with meals

❌ Alkaline water with meals

❌ Artificially flavored waters or sugary electrolyte mixes

❌ RO water with zero mineral content

In health,

Dr. Andrea Izquierdo, L.Ac.

👉 Want to get back to doing what you love, naturally? Call us at 321-312-0771 and discover how we can help you restore balance and achieve your ultimate health.