Don’t Drink the “Cool” Aid 

 April 6, 2018

By  Steve Hoffman

Well why not and what does this have to do with acupuncture? First of all, what I am talking about is drinking cool or cold drinks (and for that matter cold or raw foods in some cases). As far as the relationship to acupuncture, I could probably spend a few blogs on this but will try to sum it up. A good acupuncturist will look at more than just where to put needles. Diet, lifestyle, physical activities and several more factors will be analyzed when compiling a comprehensive treatments plan. Specific recommendations in these areas will be given to compliment your acupuncture and herbal treatments. Not only what you eat but the thermal quality of your food and drink can have a big impact on your health.

Chinese medical practitioners have known for thousands of years what the west is just waking up to. This article show how drinking cold water can damage your health. Think about jumping in to an nice icy pond in the middle of winter! How does your body respond to this? Well, you are doing the same thing to your insides when you drink a nice big glass of ice water! Cold and raw foods can have a similar effect. I have many patients complain of low energy, weight gain and poor digestion. I ask them what they eat and they say, “I eat healthy, I have a smoothie for breakfast, a salad for lunch and a salad with protein for dinner.” Cold, cold, cold! Drinking warm water (and I would add warm foods) can help with all these issues. In fact, in Chinese medicine, cold can contribute to or cause many other problems including pain, infertility, PMS, headaches and migraines. How many people that you know suffer from one or all the following: weight issues, fatigue, pain and PMS. Consuming warm foods and drinks can help with all these issues.

What if you are warm or even hot constitutionally, after all, we are not all alike. You would think that drinking ice water and consuming cold foods would help in these circumstances. Cold and raw foods and drink simply cause too much stagnation and create too many problems. We would work a little more subtly with this type of patient. Cooling foods (think mint, summer squash, tomatoes, pears, persimmon) along with avoidance of spicy foods would be what I would prescribe for someone with a hot constitution or with complaints that have to do with heat in the body.

Want to find out about your constitution or what might be good for you? Call today or book a 30-minute consultation and we can discuss what might be good for your specific needs.


Princeton Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Our patients know just how effective treatments are for these and a host of other problems. Steven Hoffman, a New Jersey Licensed Acupuncturist and Diplomate in Oriental Medicine, will provide you with a thorough intake and evaluation and a clear, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan that will insure that your goals are met or exceeded. Do you want to move past these or other problems? We will help you thrive not just survive!

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