Drinking water first thing in the morning has always been considered a healthy habit, but did you know that not all types of water are suitable for drinking in the morning?
Boiled water that has been left standing
When boiled water is left standing for a long time, the nitrogen-containing organic compounds in it continuously break down into nitrites. This process is accelerated, especially in boiled water that has been stored for too long and inevitably contaminated with bacteria, leading to even more nitrite production. Consuming such water causes nitrites to combine with hemoglobin, which impairs the blood's ability to transport oxygen. >> What should you drink for your first cup in the morning
Therefore, boiled water that has been in a thermos for days, the residual water from multiple boilings, or water that has been boiling on a stove for a long time should not be consumed, as their composition has changed. You should drink water that has been boiled once and is not more than 24 hours old. Additionally, bottled or桶装 (barrelled) purified water and mineral water should not be stored for too long. Large bottles or barrels of purified water and mineral water should not be consumed after 3 days.
Saltwater
Some people believe that drinking light saltwater is beneficial to health, so they drink it in the morning. This belief is mistaken. While it is true that drinking light saltwater is beneficial, such as for replenishing fluids after sweating in the summer, it is not only unhelpful but also a harmful practice for replenishing fluids in the morning.
Physiological research suggests that during a full night's sleep, a person does not drink any water, yet breathing, sweating, and urination continue. These physiological activities lead to significant water loss. Upon waking in the morning, the blood is in a concentrated state. Drinking a certain amount of plain water can quickly dilute the blood and correct the hyperosmolar dehydration from the night. Drinking saltwater, on the other hand, will worsen the hyperosmolar dehydration and make one feel even more thirsty. Moreover, morning is the first peak of elevated blood pressure for the human body, and drinking saltwater will push the blood pressure even higher, posing a health risk.
Beverages
The first cup of water in the morning should ideally not be commercially sold juices, colas, sodas, coffee, or milk. Carbonated drinks like soda and cola often contain citric acid, which accelerates the excretion of calcium during metabolism, lowering the calcium level in the blood. Long-term consumption can lead to calcium deficiency. Other beverages have a diuretic effect, so drinking them in the morning not only fails to effectively replenish the body's needed fluids but also increases the body's demand for water, leading to dehydration.
Fruit juice, milk, and coffee are also not suitable as the first beverage in the morning because they do not provide the water the body needs most at that time. They also force the digestive and absorption systems to work when the body is already dehydrated, which is not good for your health.
Tap water
Some people have the habit of turning on the tap in the morning and drinking a glass of tap water, which is incorrect. The tap water that has been stagnant in the pipes and faucet overnight is still. This water reacts with the metal pipe walls and faucet chambers, causing metal contamination. Furthermore, residual microorganisms in the tap water can multiply. This water contains a large amount of substances harmful to the human body and may even harbor an acute respiratory infectious pathogen that threatens human health — Legionella.
Therefore, the tap water that flows out first in the morning is undrinkable stagnant water. If you have this habit, please correct it immediately to avoid harming your health.