Imagine trying to cook your food in a pot of cold water.

When you drink iced beverages, according to practitioners of Ayurveda, an ancient health system from India, you are creating a similar halt to your digestive system. The cold temperature causes your digestion to temporarily slow down or stop.

Instead opt for digestion-enhancing beverages. Try drinking hot water when you first wake up, as it jump starts your metabolism, cleanses your body, and strengthens your digestive fire. To keep the internal fire burning, continue drinking hot water throughout the day.

You can also add lemon for a cleansing effect, honey to scrape toxins from the body and stimulate your fat metabolism, or some lime juice to cool excess acidity.

Begin your Ayurvedic routine with the simple addition of hot water to your beverage list.