Pregnancy is an important phase of a woman’s life that keeps reminding us time and time again how important and cautious we have to be in what we consume. Pregnant women follow both traditional and modern ideas for a healthy pregnancy.
One such thing that most pregnant women want to or try is drinking water in copper vessels during pregnancy. According to Ayurveda, drinking water from copper vessels is seen to offer a lot of benefits. It is believed that copper purifies the water by killing the bacteria present in it.
Though it is a general notion, as a pregnant woman one must know if it is important or safe to consume water from copper vessels during pregnancy.
Let us discuss in detail about what are the benefits of drinking water in a copper vessel and if it is recommended during pregnancy.
Can Pregnant Women Drink Water Stored In Copper Vessels?
Copper-charged drinking water is recommended by our elders time and again because of the numerous health benefits1. Drinking copper water during pregnancy is absolutely recommended. When consumed in a nominal quantity, drinking water in the copper vessels during pregnancy is safe.
Related Reading: 13 Benefits Of Drinking Coconut Water During Pregnancy
Can pregnant women drink water stored in copper vessels is mostly a debatable question as the requirement for copper varies from one woman to another. For a few, the copper content will be met from their pregnancy diet and for the others, there could be a deficit.
Remember many copper vessels may have a plating to protect the vessel from tarnish and corrosion. Hence, you need to consult your doctor to drink from it or have the water in moderation.
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Benefits Of Drinking Water In Copper Vessel During Pregnancy
Copper is a wonderful metal used since centuries considering its benefits. According to Ayurveda, drinking watering copper vessels helps to boost metabolism and improve the functioning of the body. It is also used to keep toxins away and clean contamination in water2.
Pregnant women must consume pure, toxin-free, and ionized water. In that way, drinking water in copper vessels during pregnancy suits best. In ancient times when there were no water filters or water purifiers, our ancestors followed this technique to get the water purified. Not only it makes the water bacteria-free in 3 hours but also helps to maintain the pH level in the body3.
Listed below are the benefits of drinking water in copper vessels during pregnancy.
1. Better digestion
Many times, pregnant women experience issues such as indigestion, inflammation, ulcers, etc. due to the bacteria present in the water we consume. Copper contains anti-inflammatory properties that help tackle these issues.
Also, drinking water from copper vessels helps the nutrients get absorbed faster and aids in improving the functioning of the liver and kidney, says a study.
Related Reading: 18 Home Remedies For Constipation During Pregnancy
2. Improves the absorption of copper
Iron is an essential mineral for expecting women and is required in abundance for a healthy and safe pregnancy.
Copper aids in improving the absorption of iron. Hence pregnant women need to consume the required amount of copper to rule out the chances of anemia. Drinking water in copper vessels during pregnancy can help with this.
3. Combats water-borne diseases
In recent times, many pregnant women have developed the habit of drinking water from copper vessels as it comes with anti-germ benefits.
Due to its sterilizing effect, it helps kill disease-causing E.Coli bacteria. Waterborne diseases such as cholera, shigella, typhus, and viruses such as Hepatitis A can be combated easily4.
4. Improves the functions of the thyroid gland
Copper is one essential mineral vital for pregnant women. Drinking water in copper vessels during pregnancy ensures the proper functioning of the thyroid gland by supplying the required amount of copper.
A deficit of copper often leads to thyroid issues during pregnancy. Consuming a glass of water kept in a copper vessel before meals helps to prevent thyroid issues5.
Related Reading: Should You Drink Cold Water After Delivery?
5. Cures anemia
The deficiency of copper leads to anemia in pregnant women. Copper-charged water plays an important role in fighting and preventing anemia.
Drinking water from a copper vessel helps to improve the hemoglobin levels in a pregnant woman. Not only that, but it also improves the production of red blood cells (RBC)6.
6. Prevents neurobehavioral disorders
When you have a deficiency of copper, it can lead to several mental issues such as Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorder or ADHD for the developing fetus. Drinking copper-charged water prevents your baby in the womb from all of these.
The neuron gaps in the brain are covered by the cooler content in the water by synthesizing lipids to form the myelin sheath. Also, regular consumption of copper-rich water helps in resisting seizures and convulsions, claims a study.
7. Helps in baby’s development
Copper has miraculous benefits. Drinking water in the copper vessel during pregnancy has been to benefit the growth of the fetus in many ways. It helps in the formation of the unborn baby’s blood vessel, nervous system, heart, and skeletal system.
The hair and the skin health of the baby are also enhanced due to copper7.
Related Reading: 18 Foods To Eat To Increase Fetal Weight During Pregnancy
8. Aids in iron absorption
Iron is an essential mineral required for the well-being of the mom to be and the fetus. Deficit of iron leads to complications such as iron deficiency anemia that can cause damage to pregnancy.
Drinking water from copper vessels helps to absorb the iron content to rule out anemic issues8.
9. Drinking water in the copper vessel during pregnancy help to maintain blood pressure levels
Pregnant women see a lot of fluctuations in their blood pressure levels. Copper plays an important role in regulating blood pressure levels.
Consuming water from copper vessels will help maintain blood pressure levels in pregnant women and stay free from hypertension9.
10. Protects the heart
Drinking water in the copper vessel during pregnancy pregnant women from cardiovascular disease. It maintains heart rate and maintains triglyceride and cholesterol levels. It enables the free flow of blood to the heart10.
Related Reading: 12 Tips To Maintain Weight During Pregnancy
Is Copper Safe During Pregnancy?
Drinking water in the copper vessel during pregnancy is advisable as it has a lot of health benefits. Also, the sterilizing effect of the water makes it pure and clean for drinking.
According to Ayurveda, water in copper vessels becomes free from bacteria within 3 hours of storage. As the water gets ionized it becomes safe for consumption for pregnant women making them stay free from all sorts of illnesses.
It is recommended to store the water for up to 8 hours to get the maximum benefit out of it. The water stored in the copper vessels will not stink or get spoilt, as copper is rich in electrolytes. Hence, it is fit for consumption for several hours.
How Much Copper A Pregnant Woman Needs A Day
Copper is vital during pregnancy as it takes care of your red blood cells and your baby’s heart, blood vessels, and skeletal and nervous systems. If your pregnancy diet is containing superfoods properly covering all nutrients, you probably don’t need a copper supplement.
According to a source, the total copper retention during pregnancy is approximately 30mg out of which 17mg is accumulated by the fetus. The average intake of copper for pregnant women is estimated at around 1.5mg to 2.0mg per day. Ensure your pregnancy diet is inclusive of all prenatal vitamins so you need not go for supplements.
How To Choose And Use Copper Vessels During Pregnancy?
Elders in the family emphasize on the importance of many home remedies and the importance of following the old traditions, especially during pregnancy. One such thing is drinking water from copper vessels.
Copper also helps cleanse and detox your stomach, and enable proper functioning of your liver and kidneys, and eliminate waste properly. It is also capable of healing body wounds internally.
Copper also has bone and immune system strengthening properties, which is particularly helpful during pregnancy.
Having said much, here are a few tips on how to choose and use copper vessels during pregnancy.
1. It is important to buy vessels that are made using pure copper. Ensure that metals aren’t mixed in it.
2. Copper jugs, Kalash, copper water bottles are few options you may opt for storing water. If you feel these to be expensive, you can opt for a copper glass.
3. If you find the design of your copper vessel very intricate, it is most probably not made with pure copper. Hence don’t be fooled by adulterated products.
4. Before you start using the copper vessel, ensure you clean the vessel using tamarind and salt. Do not use abrasive material as it might scrap away the copper coating.
5. Make sure to cover the stored water properly.
6. Store the water overnight and drink the first thing in the morning.
Related Reading: 11 Indian Home Remedies For Cold During Pregnancy
Role of copper in pregnancy
Drinking water in the copper vessel during pregnancy is beneficial in many ways. A few of them are listed below.
- Copper is essential for the formation of new red blood cells which is vital for a pregnant woman
- Copper is crucial for doubling the flow of blood circulation in the body
- Signs of copper deficiency, such as hair loss, fatigue, diarrhea are mostly experienced by many women during the initial days of pregnancy. Drinking water in the copper vessel during pregnancy helps in this case
- Drinking water from copper vessels — around 2-3 glasses per day helps combat cooler deficiencies
- Drinking copper-charged water gives about 1 milligram of copper every day which is very beneficial for pregnant women
Conclusion
Water is, without a doubt, one of the essential elements of life. So having seen in detail about drinking water in copper vessels during pregnancy, you should also remember that consuming too much of this metal can be dangerous too. Drinking water twice or thrice a day from a copper vessel is more than enough to reap its benefits.
Also, keep in mind not to cook meals using copper vessels, as direct contact with food could reach toxic levels. Cook food only in containers that have copper on the outside.
You might have seen your grandparents drink water from a copper vessel shaped like a small pot or Lota. Many people store water in copper jugs to get the benefits of drinking water from a copper vessel.
We have seen our grandparents drinking water from copper vessels or small tumblers to get the benefits of drinking water from copper vessels. So, it’s time we follow that, but with caution!