It is said that drinking water while standing is harmful for health. Everyone must have heard this statement from the elders in family. But have you ever bothered to pay heed to their advice? I am sure many of you have not even given a thought about it.
I have seen people drinking water hastily while standing in a single sip. You'll be shocked to know that drinking water while standing has severe side effects on health. Health experts recommend drinking water in sips while sitting. But how does it make any difference?
Well! It is an old wives tale that drinking water while sitting can help you get the maximum health benefits out of it. But it is true to a great extent. So lets check out some scientific reasons cited by the health experts which support this old wives tale.
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One must drink eight glasses of water every day.
But, do you know that your drinking style also has adverse impact on your health?
Water gets splashed in the stomach wall on consumption in standing position.
When you consume water while standing, it flows down the gut and splashes on the stomach wall. The sudden water splash can harm the stomach wall, surrounding organs and whole gastrointestinal tract. Long term practice may even disrupt the functioning of digestive system.
Filtration of water from kidneys is affected on consumption in standing position.
Due to insufficient filtration, impurities might gather in bladder, kidneys or blood thereby causing kidney damage and urinary tract disorders.
Arthritis is caused due to long term practice of drinking water in standing position.
The consumption of water in standing position disturbs the balance of body fluids and causes excess accumulation of fluids in the joints thereby causing arthritis.
Consumption of water while standing can also cause nerve tension in your body.
The sympathetic system of the body is activated on consuming water in standing position. This system is also known as 'fight and flight system' of the body. On the other hand, the body is relaxed while sitting which activates the parasympathetic system of the body. This 'rest and digest system' calms the nerves and eases the digestion process in the body.
Drinking water while sitting can help in getting rid of GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease).
Consumption of water while standing splashes water on lower part of esophagus harshly. This leads to dilation and relaxation of sphincter (joint between esophagus and stomach). Due to the disturbance in sphincter, acids in stomach start flowing backward which causes burning in the esophagus. This sequence of events causes the sensation of heartburn and ulcers.
If you have the habit of drinking water while standing, then you might become victim of indigestion.
Nervous system and body muscles are relaxed in sitting position which stimulates senses and nerves to readily digest the beverage.
It is mentioned in Ayurveda that water must be consumed slowly in small sips.
Drinking water slowly while sitting helps the body to dilute the acid levels by mixing the optimum amount of water in the body.
Drinking water while standing doesn't fully quench your thirst. 
