Water is a necessary part of life. Your body is 70% water, so it isn’t surprising that you need to drink water every single day to maintain a healthy body.
Experts say that there are a lot of health benefits to drinking water when you first wake up. In fact, drinking water should be the very first thing you do.
Some experts believe that it’s best to drink a few cups of water and then wait at least 45 minutes before eating or drinking anything else. Others say that your normal cup of coffee — which dehydrates you — is okay, as long as you pair it with a glass of water.
Overall, you’ll want to find a water routine that works best for you. But it should always start at the beginning of the day, and you should continue to drink water throughout the day.
How much water should you drink?
There isn’t one agreed-upon amount of water that everyone should drink every day. In fact, the amount of water that you need depends on many factors, including:
- Age.
- Gender.
- Weight.
- Amount of daily physical activity.
- The temperature and humidity of the air.
Some sources recommend that you begin your day with three full cups of water. You can slowly increase the amount of water you drink every morning while your body adjusts. Drinking any at all is better than none.
Find the amount of water that makes you feel best. Remember to drink more than normal when you exercise or when it’s hot out.
What is special about the morning?
You’re fasting the entire time that you’re asleep — and, often, for a few hours before sleep. Fasting means that you aren’t eating or drinking anything. So your stomach is empty and you’re dehydrated when you first wake up.
Drinking water in the morning helps your body recover from its nightly dehydration. Your body absorbs water faster when your stomach is empty. In Japan, there’s a tradition of drinking water on an empty stomach for good health.
Dehydration can lead to a number of health problems, so you should rehydrate by drinking water as soon as possible. Drinking water first thing can also help you to establish a healthy routine and keep you hydrated throughout the day.
What are the advantages of drinking water first thing in the morning?
The advantages of drinking water first thing in the morning affect many different areas of your health. Benefits include:
- Better skin. Dehydration can really damage your skin. Drinking water in the morning will lead to better-hydrated skin and reduced wrinkles and will increase your skin’s natural glow.
- Better hair. Your hair is 25% water. Too little water can make it dry and brittle. Drinking water in the morning can increase its shine and strength.
- Weight loss. Water has no calories but can help you feel full. Sometimes we even confuse thirst for hunger. This can cause us to overeat. Drinking enough water will prevent this problem.
- Improved metabolism. Your metabolism can increase by up to 25% when you drink water on an empty stomach. A faster metabolism will make your entire body feel better and more energetic.
- Increased energy. Besides the energetic boost from your increased metabolism, drinking water on an empty stomach also increases your red blood cell count. These added cells increase the amount of energy in your body.
- A boosted immune system. Drinking water on an empty stomach helps balance your lymph system — an important part of your immune system. This makes it easier for your body to fight off infections.
- Fewer kidney stones. Water dilutes the acid in your kidneys, so fewer kidney stones form.
- Cleansed bowels. Drinking water before eating breakfast helps flush out your bowels every morning. This can help keep harmful bacteria from building up. It also helps your intestines absorb nutrients faster.
- Increased toxin flushing. Drinking lots of water will help you flush toxins out of all areas of your body. This will help your immune system and make you feel better overall.
- Decreased heartburn. Drinking water first thing in the morning will dilute your stomach acid and help you digest your food.
- Fewer headaches. Dehydration commonly causes headaches. By drinking water first thing, you can decrease the number of headaches that you get.
You need to drink water throughout the day to keep your body healthy. The best way to do this is by starting every day with a glass. Try it and see how your health improves.
SLIDESHOW
Foods That Aren't as Healthy as You Think See SlideshowJohns Hopkins Medicine: "Why Drinking Water Is the Way To Go."
Manipal Hospitals: "11 Health Benefits of Drinking Water On An Empty Stomach."
Pinnacle Care Internal Medicine: "Why You Should Drink Water After Waking Up: 7 Life Changing Facts."
USA Today: "Why you should drink water first thing every day."
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