Water is one of our most important sources of life, and the question of drinking water in the morning has troubled many people. So, is it good to drink water on an empty stomach in the morning? How to drink water healthily? Water is the source of life; without it, humans cannot survive, which shows how important water is. In fact, water has many magical effects: it can whiten the skin, promote metabolism, aid in weight loss, and boost immunity. Therefore, in our daily lives, we should drink more water. Experts believe that drinking water in the morning has many benefits.
Benefits of Drinking Water in the Morning
1. Prevent Constipation
Drinking water after waking up in the morning can also stimulate gastrointestinal motility, moisten the intestines, soften stools, and promote bowel movements, preventing constipation.
2. Flush the Stomach
After waking up in the morning, the stomach and intestines are empty. Drinking water at this time can wash and clean the gastrointestinal tract, dilute stomach acid, reduce irritation to the stomach, and keep the gastrointestinal system in its best condition.
3. Refresh the Brain
The water you drink after waking up will be quickly absorbed by the intestinal mucosa into the bloodstream. It can effectively increase blood volume, dilute the blood, reduce blood viscosity, promote blood circulation, and prevent cardiovascular diseases.
However, drinking water on an empty stomach in the morning also has its considerations. You should try to drink it after brushing your teeth and before eating. If you drink water without brushing your teeth, you are likely to swallow the bacteria in your mouth, which is not good for your health. If you drink water after a meal, it cannot have the effect of flushing the intestines. Therefore, the best time to drink water is after brushing your teeth and before eating. But you also need to pay attention to the amount. If you drink too much water in the morning, it will increase blood volume, causing a sudden rise in blood pressure, and even threatening the pressure on the glomeruli. So, the amount of water you drink also matters. It is best to drink 150-200 milliliters. You should sip the water slowly; never drink it too quickly. Drinking too quickly can lower blood pressure and even cause side effects like nausea and headaches.
Is Warm Water Better or Cold Water?
The Effect of Drinking Cold Boiled Water in the Morning on the Five Organs
1. Harm to the Gastrointestinal Tract
The temperature of cold boiled water is the same as room temperature. It can promote bowel movements because the cold stimulates the gastrointestinal tract, accelerating intestinal motility and causing the urge to defecate. However, cold water can cause stomach lining to contract, affecting digestion and absorption, and even causing stomach problems, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
2. Harm to the Spleen
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the spleen prefers dryness and dislikes dampness. Long-term consumption of cold water leads to a combination of cold and dampness, damaging the spleen's yang energy, resulting in diarrhea, abdominal pain, and long-term symptoms like decreased appetite and weight loss.
3. Harm to the Lungs
Traditional Chinese Medicine mentions that "coldness in the form and drinking cold harms the lungs," which means that the body being exposed to cold, eating cold food, or drinking cold drinks can damage the lungs, leading to blocked lung qi. "The spleen is the source of phlegm, and the lungs are the container for phlegm." Over time, the spleen and lungs are damaged, resulting in excessive coughing and phlegm.
5 Major Benefits of Drinking Warm Water in the Morning
1. The Secret to a "Healthy Stomach"
Drink warm water as the first glass of water in the morning. Drinking water upon waking can promote blood circulation and prevent cardiovascular diseases. For most people, plain boiled water is best in the morning; salt should not be added (drinking salt water will worsen hypertonic dehydration, making you feel thirstier. Besides, morning is the first peak of elevated blood pressure in the human body, and drinking salt water will make it even higher).
2. Cleans the Mouth
Warm water is clean and gentle, acting as a protective agent that does not irritate the mouth and throat. Gargling with warm water feels refreshing and comfortable; it also makes it easier to remove oral bacteria and food debris.
3. Protects Gums
Medical research shows that the optimal temperature for teeth to metabolize is 35°C. If you don't pay attention to the water temperature when brushing your teeth, it can easily cause gum bleeding and spasms, shortening the lifespan of your teeth.
4. Promotes Absorption
Drinking warm water in the morning not only relieves constipation and reduces the incidence of cerebral thrombosis and myocardial infarction but also helps the body effectively absorb breakfast. Therefore, after waking up in the morning, be sure to drink 1-2 glasses (200-400 ml) of warm water.
5. Great for Sobering Up
Letting a drunk person drink a few glasses of warm water immediately can effectively dilute alcohol, protect the liver, and replenish the large amount of fluids lost due to vomiting from drunkenness.
4 Types of Water You Should Not Drink in the Morning
1. Boiled Water That Has Been Standing for a Long Time
After boiled water has been standing for a long time, the nitrogen-containing organic matter in it will continuously decompose into nitrites.
Especially for boiled water that has been left overnight and stored for too long, it is inevitably contaminated with bacteria. At this time, the decomposition of nitrogen-containing organic matter in the water accelerates, leading to more nitrite formation. After drinking such water, nitrites combine with hemoglobin, affecting the oxygen transport function of the blood.
2. Salt Water
Some people believe that drinking light salt water is beneficial to health, so they drink it in the morning. This understanding is incorrect.
It is true that drinking light salt water is good for health, which is necessary for replenishing fluids after sweating in the summer. However, for replenishing fluids in the morning, it is not only beneficial but also a harmful and unhealthy practice. Morning is the first peak of elevated blood pressure in the human body, and drinking salt water will make it even higher, which is harmful to health.
3. Beverages
The first glass of water in the morning should preferably not be commercially available juices, colas, sodas, coffee, milk, or other beverages.
Most carbonated drinks like soda and cola contain citric acid, which accelerates calcium excretion during metabolism, reducing the calcium content in the blood. Long-term consumption can lead to calcium deficiency.
4. Tap Water
The tap water from a faucet and pipes that have been shut off overnight is stagnant. This water and the metal pipe walls and faucet chambers undergo a hydration reaction, forming metal-contaminated water.
Daily Healthy Drinking Water Schedule
AM 8:30
The process from waking up to getting to the office is especially tight, and emotions are relatively tense, which can lead to dehydration in the body. So, after arriving at the office, don't rush to make coffee; have at least 250cc of water for yourself!
AM 11:00
After working in an air-conditioned room for a period of time, be sure to take the opportunity to move around and have your third glass of water of the day to replenish lost fluids and help relax a tense work mood!
PM 12:50
Half an hour after lunch, drink some water to replace fattening artificial drinks. This can strengthen the body's digestive function, which is not only beneficial to health but also helps you maintain your figure.
PM 3:00
Replace your afternoon tea and coffee with a healthy glass of mineral water! Drinking a large glass of water can not only replenish the fluids lost in the air-conditioned room but also help clear your mind.
PM 5:30
Before leaving the office, have another glass of water. If you are using water to lose weight, you can drink a few more glasses to increase satiety, so you won't overeat at dinner.
PM 10:00
Drink another glass of water one to half an hour before bedtime. Goal achieved! You have now consumed 2000cc of water today. But don't drink it all at once to avoid having to go to the bathroom and affecting your sleep quality.