According to a report by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), experts from St. Mary's Hospital, London, have announced six major benefits of drinking water before meals, including improved concentration.
After conducting clinical observations on over 3,000 patients, the researchers discovered that conditions such as asthma, allergies, depression, and stomach ulcers are related to the amount of water consumed. "The amount of water you drink is closely linked to certain diseases. Insufficient water intake can potentially lead to health risks like stroke and obesity," the experts said.
Nowadays, more and more people are paying attention to drinking water, but few truly know how to drink it properly. Drinking water without regard to timing, content, or thought can only mean you are drinking water, but not necessarily in the right way.
Based on the experimental results, the experts have summarized the following six benefits of drinking water before meals:
1. Improved Concentration: Helps keep the brain active and firmly stores new information in memory.
2. Enhanced Immunity: Boosts the activity of the immune system to fight off bacterial invasion.
3. Anti-depressant Effect: Stimulates the production of substances in the nerves that combat depression.
4. Anti-insomnia: Water is essential for producing natural sleep regulators.
5. Anti-cancer: Helps the hematopoietic system function properly and aids in the prevention of various cancers.
6. Disease Prevention: Helps prevent blockages in the blood vessels of the heart and brain. The experts recommend a "drinking schedule" for your reference.
6:30 After a full night's sleep, the body starts to become dehydrated. Drinking 250cc of water upon waking can help the kidneys and liver detoxify.
8:30 The period from waking up to getting to the office is often rushed and stressful, which can unknowingly lead to dehydration. So, after arriving at the office, don't rush for coffee; have at least 250cc of water first!
11:00 After working in an air-conditioned room for a while, take a break to move around and have your third glass of water of the day to replenish lost fluids and help relax from work stress.
12:50 Half an hour after lunch, drink some water to enhance the body's digestive function.
15:00 Swap your afternoon tea or coffee for a glass of healthy mineral water to refresh your mind and boost your energy.
17:30 Before leaving the office for the day, have another glass of water. This will increase your sense of fullness, which will naturally prevent you from overeating at dinner.
22:00 Drink another glass of water one to half an hour before bedtime! You will have consumed 2000cc of water by now. However, don't drink it all at once to avoid frequent trips to the bathroom, which can affect your sleep quality.