Water is unarguably the most pleasant thing on earth. Despite numerous drinks and beverages available out there, nothing can quench our thirst better.
We often rush to get a glass of water anytime we feel thirsty, or after eating spicy food, or after a meal. But then, do you know when precisely we should drink water? Well, on an empty stomach, i.e., right after waking up each morning.
Almost 70 percent of your body comprises of water, and its health benefits are innumerable. Water is essential for the smooth and healthy working of all our organs and body systems.
Moreover, drinking water on an empty stomach helps resolve a wide range of problem in your body.
Fast Facts on Water Consumption
While drinking water has numerous health benefits, most of us are not fully aware of all the interesting facts related to the drinking water:
Here are some of the most fascinating and lesser-known facts about water consumption:
- Around 80% of our brain tissues are made up of water.
- The daily recommended water intake is roughly 3 liters for men and 2.2 liters for women.
- Staying hydrated can help prevent arthritis.
- Drinking enough water daily can reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.
- By the time we feel thirsty, our body has already lost over 1% of its total water and, therefore, you must not wait till you feel thirsty.
- We can only survive around one week without drinking water.
[Read: Does Posture Matter While Drinking Water?]
Why Is It So Important to Drink Water?
To begin with, 70 percent of our body comprises of water, and therefore, it is vital for keeping it fresh to ensure your bodily functions run smoothly. When the water requirement of our body is not addressed, it leads to a wide range of adverse short-term as well as long-term problems.
Long-term (chronic) dehydration may lead to Dyspepsia(1), Hypertension, Migraines, Angina, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Colitis, Obesity, Kidney Stones, Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Hemorrhoids, Breast Cancer, Uterine Cancers, and Sinusitis.
Therefore, drinking water is essential to keep our bodies hydrated, along with preventing the risk of these chronic diseases.
10 Things That Happen to You When You Drink Water on An Empty Stomach
Drinking water is good; drinking it on an empty stomach is even better. Here are the 10 significant things that happen to you when you drink water on an empty stomach after waking up in the morning.
1. Harmful Toxins Are Flushed out of Your Body
When you drink water on an empty stomach, it naturally prompts a bowel movement. During the night, our body tends to repair the damage and throws out harmful toxins. By drinking water after waking up, the water flushes out these dangerous toxins, thereby making your body healthy and fresh.
Sufficient water intake also helps increase the creation of new blood and muscle cells in your body.
2. Your Metabolism Improves
Drinking plenty of water on an empty stomach leads to a 24% increase in your body’s metabolic rate. It is essential for those individuals who are following a strict, planned diet. A superior metabolic rate is associated with an excellent digestive system. Also, you can abide by your strict diet plan more effortlessly if you can digest food quickly.
Drinking water directly after you wake up in the morning tends to purify your colon, thereby facilitating improved absorption of various essential nutrients.
Several studies carried out in Germany by Michael Boschmann found that consuming 500 ml of water lead to an increase in the metabolic rate by nearly 30%. Also, the metabolic rate was analyzed within ten minutes of water intake, and it reached the upper limit after 30 to 40 minutes.
3. Your Weight-Loss Regime Gets a Boost
On drinking water immediately after waking up, your body flushes out all harmful toxins, which directly improves your digestion. As a result, your appetite gets regulated, and your craving for food will decrease. It avoids unintended weight gain prompted by overeating.
4. No More Indigestion and Heartburn
Water does wonders to our digestive system. Indigestion(2) is a result of high acidity in your stomach. You experience heartburn when an excessive acid produced due to indigestion refluxes into the esophagus. On drinking water immediately after waking up, the acid is shoved down and gets diluted, resolving the symptoms of heartburn. Also, this offers a head start to the digestive system for breakfast.
5. Your Skin Radiance Improves
Dehydration leads to deep pores and premature wrinkles in your skin. A recent study found that consuming 500 milliliters of water immediately after waking tends to increase blood flow to the surface of your skin, hence making. Also, sufficient water intake throughout the day prompts your body to release more toxins, which further enhances the glow of your skin.
6. The Shine, Smoothness, and Health of Your Hair Improves
Dehydration can severely hampers hair growth. Sufficient water intake tends to nourish your hairs from their roots. Water accounts for nearly 25 percent of one hair strand’s weight. Drinking less water leads to thinning of your hair strands along with making them brittle. While you must drink sufficient water throughout the day, drinking water immediately after waking up significantly improves your hair quality.
[Read: Drinking Water At The Right Times]
7. Bladder Infections and Renal Stones Get Treated
Drinking water on an empty stomach after you wake up helps prevent bladder infections, as well as kidney stones also Drinking water immediately after waking up, helps dilute the acids that lead to renal stones. Drinking water to the recommended daily limit helps protect you from various bladder infections induced by the buildup of harmful toxins.
8. Your Immune System Gets a Boost
Drinking water immediately after waking up helps flush and balance your lymphatic system that enhances your immunity to a great extent. A healthy immune system helps reduce the risk of various chronic diseases, along with preventing frequent illnesses. Also, your body becomes more prepared to combat infections such as flu and cold.
9. The Risk of Migraine Attacks Is Reduced
One of the main reasons people experience frequent migraine attacks and headaches are the lack of water in their body. Typically, dehydration is the most common factor behind headaches and migraine attacks, and consuming sufficient water at regular intervals throughout the day, particularly on an empty stomach after waking up, can help prevent headaches naturally.
Also, water produces saliva that helps keep your teeth and gums clean and keep dental or oral problems at bay.
An adequately hydrated body functions more complex tasks efficiently as compared to a dehydrated body. Also, it helps improve the mood, boost memory, reduce the frequency of migraine attacks, and improve brain functioning. If your body experiences a loss of fluid, it can cause excessive fatigue and anxiety.
A study carried out in the Netherlands on 18 participants who experienced regular migraine headaches showed a decrease in the total duration of migraine attacks well as the intensity of headaches after ingesting 1.5 liters of water daily for three months.
10. Your Energy Level Improves
If you feel sluggish or sleepy right after waking up, drinking water can make you feel more active instantly. Water tends to stimulate the growth of the red blood cells, which leads to more oxygen and energy.
As you can see, drinking water on an empty stomach has numerous health benefits. It is undoubtedly the easiest way to improve your lifestyle without making any expense.
The health benefits of sufficient water intake on an empty stomach include the maintenance of body temperature, energy levels, breathing, and metabolism. It also helps prevent constipation, heartburn, kidney stones, migraines, gastritis, ulcers, cardiovascular disorders, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and backaches.
Japanese women usually flaunt toned, healthy, and toned figures. Though genetics do play a vital role, experts believe that the usual morning ritual of Japanese women also help them stay healthy. Simply put, most Japanese women are known to drink water on an empty stomach immediately after waking up.
Nutritionists believe that this ritual, which is a deep-rooted Japanese culture, is a type of water treatment that is scientifically verified to help cure a wide range of health issues.
Unlike the United States and most western countries, the people in Japan do not suffer heavily from chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. It makes sense for us to learn a thing or two from the healthier lifestyles of the Japanese population and commit to start our day with a glass of water.
