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While you're aware that staying hydrated is crucial, did you know that drinking water in the morning brings substantial benefits? Water is an essential nutrient, meaning your body cannot produce enough on its own to fulfill its basic needs. Therefore, it's necessary to get it from external sources such as hydrating foods and beverages to maintain good health.
Starting your day with a glass of water (especially on an empty stomach) is an excellent habit, but there are important factors to consider before making it a daily practice. We consulted several doctors for their hydration tips, including the top health advantages of drinking water right after waking up.
Marina Cavusoglu/Getty Images1. Rehydrates Your Body After Sleeping
Your body naturally loses water daily through regular processes like urination, sweating, and even breathing, as explained by William W. Li, M.D., a physician. Certain factors—such as physical activity, hot temperatures, or specific medications—can accelerate fluid loss. Regardless of your unique hydration needs, one thing remains clear: daily water intake is essential.
"Around 60 percent of the human body is made up of water, though this can vary slightly based on age, gender, and hydration levels," says Casey Kelley, M.D., ABoIM. Water is also necessary to lubricate joints, maintain body temperature, transport nutrients, and remove waste via urination and sweating, among many other vital biological functions that depend on proper hydration.
Since you're unable to drink while you sleep, your body naturally becomes dehydrated by morning, according to Kelley. Therefore, consuming water as soon as you wake up can be beneficial, and you’ll likely feel some thirst when the alarm goes off. "Drinking water right after waking up restores the lost fluids, including those you may have lost during the night," Li confirms. This is particularly true if you sleep with your mouth open or in a warm room, adds Li.
2. Enhances Your Energy Levels
According to Kelley, many individuals find that drinking cold water in the morning helps them feel more awake. Dehydration, which naturally occurs during sleep, can leave you feeling tired and dizzy. Rehydrating with a glass of water right after waking up can prevent this by kickstarting the rehydration process, ensuring your body gets the fluids it needs immediately.
There are no strict 'rules' for drinking water on an empty stomach in the morning. However, if you're looking to maximize its benefits, there are energy-boosting advantages to doing it in a specific way. For instance, if you typically enjoy multiple cups of caffeinated coffee or tea in the morning, drinking water before (and after) can be beneficial, as caffeine acts as a natural diuretic, says Kelley.
3. Enhances Mental Clarity
Similarly, drinking water first thing in the morning can help sharpen your mental focus and productivity throughout the day. According to Kelley, dehydration is also linked to brain fog and headaches, so drinking a glass of water is a great way to kickstart mental performance. 'Even mild dehydration is linked to short-term memory loss and trouble concentrating, so if you want to stay sharp, drink that glass of water,' Kelley says.
4. Boosts Metabolic Function
Regardless of the time, drinking water can jumpstart your metabolism. Specifically, "cold water activates a process called cold-activated thermogenesis," explains Li. "This process forces your body to warm up the water, increasing metabolism by up to 30 percent for around an hour."
Although cold-induced thermogenesis isn't tied to a specific time, you don't have to do it right before eating in the morning—though it's a great option if you're looking to boost your metabolism as soon as you wake up.
5. Supports Digestion
Drinking water is essential for healthy digestion, according to Kelley. Staying hydrated, for instance, helps alleviate constipation, which is a common consequence of dehydration.
"Warm water can accelerate the breakdown of food compared to cool water," says Kelley. So, if you're prone to constipation, drinking warm water upon waking up can speed up rehydration and get your system moving quickly.
6. Reduces Hunger
If you prefer not to have a large breakfast, are pressed for time, or find yourself still craving unhealthy snacks after eating, sipping on water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach can help control your appetite.
A 2018 study suggests that drinking water throughout the morning can help suppress the sensation of hunger, calming a growling stomach until you're able to eat (and if you're hungry, by all means, eat!). 'It's common to confuse thirst with hunger, so staying hydrated can curb the tendency to snack or overeat when you're not truly hungry,' Kelley says.
7. Eases Hangover Symptoms
Water is essential for recovering from a hangover, according to Li. Alcohol dehydrates the body, and when you wake up in the morning, you may feel the full effects of hangover symptoms—such as headaches, nausea (with or without vomiting), diarrhea, and sweating. Replenishing fluids with water can provide relief and refresh you.
8. Enhances Skin
Drinking water offers various skin health benefits, such as enhancing your complexion and helping to fight early signs of aging. Drinking it in the morning can be especially beneficial, as it helps reduce any swelling you may experience after waking up. Additionally, it can prevent acne by removing bacteria that accumulate on your pillowcases or when you sleep with makeup or skincare products still on your face.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is drinking water in the morning better than drinking it throughout the day?
While drinking water first thing in the morning is healthy, it is not the key to good hydration. The primary thing is to ensure you're consuming enough water overall. Health experts stress that staying hydrated is about the quantity of water consumed during the day, rather than the timing of when you drink it or its relation to meals. So, if you enjoy drinking water first thing after waking up, that's great, but it's perfectly fine to wait a bit before doing so. The main thing is staying hydrated throughout the day.
