Drinking eight glasses of water a day to stay properly hydrated isn’t (hopefully) new to most of us. But did you know that there are actually specific times during the day that are the best time to drink water? In fact, drinking water during those times can even improve your overall health and cognitive functioning.
If you are like me, you are probably thinking to yourself: “Water is water, I need it regardless of the time of day!” While this is technically true, research shows that you can actually absorb more of the health benefits of water and improve your internal processes by drinking it at optimal times throughout the day.
Science shows that drinking water at the correct times of the day can help prevent common problems like stomach pain, IBS, bloating, fatigue, overeating, high blood pressure, constipation, and even heart attack and stroke.
On the other hand, there are also certain times of the day when it is recommended to give up H2O as our bodies are busy and need all the free internal roads to do their job. So, it’s time to maximize the effectiveness of water and reap all the health benefits that nature’s long-standing MVP has to offer. Here are the best times of the day to drink (and not drink) water.
TO DO:
Drink when you wake up
Your first glass of water should be right when you wake up. Drinking water on an empty stomach in the morning can do wonders for our body, both internally and externally. In fact, drinking two glasses of semi-hot water first thing in the morning is an ancient Japanese daily ritual, and has been attributed to the health, beauty and longevity of its people.
A glass or two of water first thing in the morning helps get your brain and body out of sleep mode and grind mode. It also eliminates all stubborn toxins and free radicals that have built up in the circulatory system overnight and helps cleanse and purify the body’s internal organs. The easiest two-minute detox in the world? Consider it done.
Tip: For best results, try not to eat anything until 30-40 minutes after drinking, as this is the time it takes for the body to steam clean, hydrate and energize cells with new oxygen.
Drink before eating
Drinking a glass of water 30 minutes before each main meal of the day will aid digestion and keep calorie intake in check. The water not only prepares your gut for the food coming down from the pike, it also prevents you from overeating, as the water coats your stomach and makes you feel fuller faster. Zero calorie appetizer? We will take some
Consuming water before a meal can create a sense of fullness and reduce appetite.”When you take something heavy, like 16 ounces of water, it really adds this weight and heaviness to your stomach, and completely calms that sense of urgency because you’re satisfying that hunger hormone. It leads to this sense of calm and feeling. fullness”.
Tip: If you’re hungry between meals, pour yourself a glass of water first to see if you’re dehydrated. Sometimes people think they are hungry when in reality they are just thirsty.
drink before a workout (and after)
Depending on your body’s fluid levels at the time, you may need one or more glasses of water before hitting the gym to protect yourself from dehydration during your workout. When we sweat, we lose both water and electrolytes, so it’s important to drink at least eight ounces of water in advance to preventively replace the fluids lost with sweat and moisture during exercise.
Tip: After vigorous exercise, you may need to drink several grams of water to replenish vital fluids lost during exercise. The amount you will need depends on your weight, your health, and whether you have been exercising in hot or humid conditions, especially for long periods, among other factors.
DON’T DO:
Drown stomach during meals
A common mistake people make (myself included) is gulping down water during and immediately after eating. Because we absorb water better when our stomachs aren’t full of food, drinking large amounts of water during or right after a meal dilutes the natural juices that aid digestion. It is recommended to drink a glass of water 30 minutes before, during and after a meal, but no more. This will allow your digestive system to do its job without wet and wild distractions and will help your body absorb nutrients more efficiently.
Pro tip: Stopping in small sips during a meal slows down the rate at which you eat, resulting in lower overall consumption. Eating at a slower speed allows you to control your hunger signals and usually makes a meal more enjoyable. And we all know that enjoying what you eat is an important part of maintaining a balanced diet and, if we’re honest, a happy life.
