It’s no secret that staying hydrated is important for our survival. The time of day
and the way people stay hydrated will vary. Some people prefer drinking a coffee in the
morning, or a soda at lunch, but one thing is certain: nothing beats a refreshing glass
of plain, cold water. You can drink water at any time during the day and it will be
beneficial for you, but consuming a large glass as soon as you wake up in the morning
will provide you with unique rewards.
According to Clemson University, about 75% of our body weight is made up of water. Depending
on where you are or where you live, water is inexpensive or even free. It is low in
sodium and is caffeine-free, making it the perfect source for meeting your hydration
needs.
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Now, here are the top reasons why you should be having a glass of water on an empty stomach
immediately after you wake up.
Convenience: So most people drink water with their meals, which has its positives, but
also its negatives as well. According to Don Colbert, M.D., and author of Eat This and
Live, drinking water during a meal can dilute digestive juices and even upset your stomach.
He adds that drinking it in the morning immediately after you wake up is the ideal time. Your
stomach is completely empty, so a glass of water won’t hinder your digestion, and if
you have a bottle or glass by your bed, all you need to do is reach for it.
Reduce Stomach Acidity: If you are one of the many people who experience heartburn,
it’s because you have high levels of acid in your stomach, according to The Family Medicine
Handbook, which is brought to you by the Northen Ontario School of Medicine. During the night
when you are sleeping, your stomach is the primary source of hydrochloric acid in your
body. It produces it all night long. Usually, food will dilute the acid, but because your
stomach is empty in the morning, heartburn is more likely to occur in the morning hours.
But if you have water immediately after you wake up, it can reduce the level of acidity
in your stomach.
Helps Relieve Bowel Movements: According to Medical Daily, drinking a warm glass of water
as soon as you wake up in the morning on an empty stomach can help relieve your bowel
movements and also help with constipation. Usually, when we are having trouble relieving
our bowel movements, it’s because there is a lack of water in our bodies. In the morning
when there is little to no water in our system, consuming water will help to quickly break
down any food that has not been digested yet.
Help Control Calories: According to Penn State researcher Barbara Rolls, Ph.D., author of
The Volumetrics Weight Control Plan, if you’re looking to lose weight or try and control
the number of calories you consume, water is a great source to help with that. Rolls
adds that when you consume water with a meal, the meal tends to feel larger than it may
actually be. This is because the food is digested more slowly, so you feel fuller.
Helps Keep the Skin Looking Fresh: According to Atlanta dermatologist, Kenneth Ellner,
everyone’s skin contains a lot of water, which acts as a protective barrier to prevent
fluid loss. He adds that dehydration can make the skin look more dry and wrinkly, which
can be prevented or improved with proper hydration.
Prevent Hangovers: If you know that your night is going to include a lot of alcohol consumption,
it might be a good idea to mix in some water, especially when the night is coming to an
end. This can help you prevent a hangover. Healthline explains that alcohol is a diuretic,
which means that you lose more water than you consume. Which is why you experience dry
mouth, headaches, and thirst when you wake up the following morning; A.K.A. a hangover.
Energize Muscles: According to WebMD, cells that do not maintain the proper balance of
fluids and electrolytes will shrivel up, which can cause severe muscle fatigue. To prevent
that, the American College of Sports Medicine recommends that people drink around 17 ounces
of water two hours before exercising. They also recommend that people begin to drink
fluids early and often during their workout. It will help replace the fluids that you are
sweating out.
Other Health Benefits of Water: According to WebMD, one of the health benefits of drinking
water is to help maintain the balance of bodily fluids. Because over half of our body consists
of water, it’s essential to keep these bodily fluids balanced because they help with digestion,
circulation, absorption, transport of nutrients and the creation of saliva. WebMD also adds
that when the body is low on fluids, the brain will trigger the body’s thirst mechanism.
It’s important not to ignore this sign because your body will not function properly without
sufficient fluids.
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