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alcohols) to avoid killing of a large number of microorganisms associated with the fermenting process. Alcohol and processed food contain toxins and are harmful to the body.Alcoholic beverages and fermented drinks would prevent mindfulness or cause heedlessness. It dulls the mind. Alcohol and drugs impair the ability to think and discriminate between undesirable and desirable actions. Alcoholic beverages have calories but are low in nutritional value.
The use of caffeine is prohibited or restricted by Jain Acharyas because of its addictive properties and harmful physical effects. Each time one drinks acidic soda, coffee, tea, and energy drinks his body uses its own buffers (from bone and DNA) to raise the body's alkalinity to maintain healthy blood pH level of 7.35 to 7.45. Liquids that contain caffeine, such as coffee and cold drinks causes constipation by causing dehydration.
Jain regards tobacco, another stimulant, as a malignant poison that affects the health of its users. By smoking carbon dioxide, nicotine, tars and many chemicals enter the body through the lungs instead of oxygen. Research continues to support the harmful and deleterious effects of the use of cigarettes and tobacco products. Cancer, high blood pressure, and heart disease have all been linked to tobacco use.
Breathing: Mahavira replied to Gautama, “Even a single sense bodied living being breaths." The principal characteristic of life is respiration. That which breathes is possessed of life and that which does not is lifeless. This is the criterion of living being. Life is nothing but a series of breaths. Life is measured by
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