Should You Drink This First Thing Every Morning? Here's What It Does
Drinking a glass of water after waking up can help replace fluids lost overnight, support focus and improve bowel function. However, evidence does not show that drinking water at a specific time of day alone significantly boosts metabolism. Total fluid intake throughout the day matters more.
Drinking a glass of water after waking up can help compensate for the lack of body fluids, maintain concentration and improve bowel function. However, the evidence does not show that drinking water at a specific time of day alone will significantly increase metabolism; The amount of fluids received during the day is more important.
According to Ambassador Arjan, in recent years, the recommendation to drink a glass of water immediately after waking up has become one of the most widespread health recommendations in the media and social networks, but new scientific studies show how far the physiological consequences of this simple habit are based on real medical evidence.
Ambassador Arjan wrote, many people wake up in a mild state of dehydration after sleeping for several hours at night and not receiving fluids. This seemingly insignificant dehydration can have unpleasant consequences such as low energy levels, constant fatigue, reduced mental efficiency, and digestive problems. Drinking a glass of water at the beginning of the day is a natural mechanism for rehydrating the tissues, activating the digestive system and creating the necessary awareness to start daily activities.
The amount of water in the body is directly related to mental clarity and feeling alive. When the body faces a lack of fluids, the volume and flow of blood sent to the brain decreases; A phenomenon that appears in the form of extreme fatigue, feeling confused or so-called "brain fog" and difficulty in maintaining concentration.
The findings of an experimental study show that young people who were deprived of drinking any liquids for twelve hours experienced lower reaction speed, excessive fatigue, loss of working memory and a significant decrease in attention compared to hydrated people. Another study also found that drinking about two glasses of water before going to sleep and repeating it immediately after waking up improves the speed of cognitive processing and alertness of people.
Of course, if the root of fatigue is due to lack of sleep, chronic stress or underlying diseases, water consumption will not make a significant change, but if the cause of lethargy is physiological dehydration, this daily habit is a very effective solution.
Preparing the digestive system for daily activity
Entering water into the stomach at the beginning of the morning prepares the digestive system to process the food of the day ahead. Liquids play the role of lubricants and help the movement of liquid waste in the large intestine. Research data also confirms that regular consumption of water and juicy foods minimizes the risk of this disorder.
Biologically, the small intestine draws water from the bloodstream into the lumen during the digestion process to break down food. For this reason, drinking water in the morning along with a little movement or drinking coffee stimulates the bowel reflex and makes it easier to eliminate. Of course, in people who always drink enough water during the day, this accelerated effect is felt less.
Is it absolutely necessary to consume fasting water?
Although drinking water immediately after waking up is a beneficial action, clinical experts believe that the total fluid intake in 24 hours is much more important than the exact time of consumption. According to clinical guidelines, women need about eleven and a half glasses and men need fifteen and a half glasses of fluids from all food sources.
Considering the water found in vegetables, fruits and soups, aiming to drink 9 glasses of pure water for women and 13 glasses for men is sufficient. However, drinking water at the start of the morning is a quick start for those who tend to forget to drink during busy work hours.
The standard amount of water consumption in the morning and false beliefs
A regular glass is an ideal volume to start the day, and suddenly filling the stomach with a large volume of water may lead to a feeling of heaviness or reflux. Also, scientific research has challenged some popular beliefs:
Warm water and increased metabolism: water temperature does not have a stable and noticeable effect on raising the body's basal metabolic rate.
The harmfulness of cold water for digestion: There is no reliable evidence that cold water is harmful to the digestive system. Although very cold water may temporarily calm stomach movements, both cold and lukewarm water hydrate the body equally.
The benefits of excessive fluid intake: Once the cells are saturated, the consumption of extra water has no new benefit and in acute conditions can cause a dangerous decrease in sodium in the blood. People who suffer from heart or kidney failure must also adjust the amount consumed according to the doctor's order. The best criterion for diagnosing hydration is the color of urine; Pale yellow color is a sign of sufficient water and dark color is a sign of the body's urgent need to consume more fluids.
Who benefits the most from this habit?
People who don't drink enough fluids, are prone to constipation, wake up feeling groggy in the morning, or the elderly who have a weakened sense of thirst will benefit the most from drinking water early in the morning. In contrast, those who are well hydrated throughout the day will not feel a dramatic change. If you don't want to drink plain water, adding a few drops of lemon or drinking soft teas will be a hearty option to maintain the balance of body fluids.