Waking up in the morning and drinking a glass of water on an empty stomach is a healthy lifestyle highly recommended by many health experts. After a night of sleep, the body loses a significant amount of water through breathing, the skin, and urine, leaving it in a dehydrated state. Therefore, the first glass of water in the morning is particularly important. It not only effectively rehydrates the body but also regulates the digestive system and cleanses the internal environment. However, when it comes to how to drink this first glass of water, different people offer vastly different answers. Even the question of what to drink has its proponents for plain water, honey water, and light salt water. Other claims about the first glass of water are even more varied. For this reason, Dagong Health experts provide answers on how to properly drink the first glass of water after waking up each day.
The benefits of the first glass of water in the morning
1. Rehydrate: While sleeping, the body loses a large amount of water through urine, the skin, and respiration. Upon waking, the body is in a dehydrated state, and drinking water in the morning can replenish the fluids lost from metabolism.
2. Prevent constipation: Drinking water promptly after waking can promote gastrointestinal motility and prevent constipation.
3. Regulate the digestive system: After a night of metabolism, the stomach and intestines are empty in the morning. Drinking water at this time can dilute stomach acid, helping it maintain a better condition.
4. Refresh the brain: Water increases blood volume and promotes blood circulation, allowing the brain to quickly return to a clear state.
Plain water is the least burdensome option
I personally still recommend drinking plain water. Some people advocate drinking a glass of light salt water in the morning, but I don't think it's very meaningful. Modern people already consume too much sodium. Drinking light salt water when the body doesn't lack salt will increase the intake of unnecessary salt. Research shows that minerals like calcium and magnesium in plain water are very helpful in preventing cardiovascular diseases and are more suitable for middle-aged and elderly people. Others suggest drinking a glass of honey water in the morning, believing it helps relieve constipation. The fructose in honey has a certain lubricating effect on the bowels for people with constipation. However, for most people, plain water is sufficient. Plain water contains no protein, carbohydrates, or fats, making it the least burdensome option.
Temperature: Cool or warm, it depends on the individual
For morning water drinking, it's best to drink plain water at room temperature. In cold weather, you can drink warm water to minimize stimulation to the gastrointestinal tract. Some studies have shown that when the water temperature is around 25°C, the affinity between water molecules and human cells is optimal, and the cells' ability to absorb water is the strongest. Therefore, drinking a glass of warm plain water in the morning is the best choice. For young people and those in good health, drinking cool plain water is also easily acceptable. However, for the elderly, those in poor health, or people who are sensitive to cold and have a cold stomach, a glass of warm water in the morning is an excellent choice. In conclusion, the appropriate water temperature should be chosen based on one's individual physical condition.