With more than 30 years’ experience in the residential and commercial water treatment space, Mark Nelson is a Class 1 Drinking-Water Operator and a CBWA (Canadian Bottled Water Association) Certified Plant Operator. As founder and president of Nelson Water in Ottawa, Mark focuses on dealing with challenging water treatment system designs for problem water. He also heads the largest water bottling plant in the city of Ottawa with a delivery network throughout the Valley.
In our everyday lives, we expend a considerable amount of energy, and we need to stay hydrated to maintain our momentum until we can rest at the end of the day. This is why many people now understand the importance of hydration, and they drink a sufficient volume to stay rejuvenated. But, some people don’t know about the health benefits of drinking water at the start of the day on an empty stomach. Our bodies crave water at the beginning of each day; we don’t drink as we sleep, and that’s why we feel so thirsty when we wake. In Japan, many women swear by drinking water on an empty stomach at the start of each day to maintain flawless skin and perfectly toned slim figures. Let’s take a look at ten of the amazing health benefits that you could enjoy if you adopt this morning water drinking ritual.
- Immediate Rehydration
When you drink water immediately after waking on an empty stomach, you can quickly rehydrate your body after sleeping. During a typical night’s sleep, most of us are unconscious for 6-8 hours, and this is a long time to go without consuming any water. If you can drink 2-3 glasses of water as soon as you wake, you can give your body the hydration that its been missing during the night. This is also a great way to get some much needed energy to start your day, and it will help you to maintain bowel regularity during the mornings.
- Improving Alertness
Many people struggle to start their day off on the right foot because they feel less alert. In fact, two of the main indicators of dehydration are tiredness and a general feeling of fatigue. After a long night’s sleep, you can feel these effects of dehydration profoundly, and it can be difficult to get into the day. Taking an early drink of water will act as a kind of shock to the system; energy levels will be boosted, and this can make us feel more alert. So, if you typically reach for the coffee pot first thing in the morning, delay your daily caffeine hit till later and opt for water instead to kick start your day the right way.
- Fighting Illness
When you drink water on an empty stomach, it can help to boost your immune system and fight sickness. Drinking water keeps viruses under control, and it helps to keep our immune system balanced. If you have a boosted immune system, it will help you to prevent getting sick in the first place and allow you to have plenty of energy for the day ahead.
- Brain Fuel
The human brain is composed of 70% water and needs plenty of hydration to work at an optimal level. This is why we often feel foggy when we first awaken due to the dehydration that’s occurred during our sleeping. If we don’t provide adequate quantities of hydration to our brains at the start of the day, it can cause mood swings, feelings of fatigue, and a loss in brain performance and memory functions. If you want to feel more alert and sharp in the morning, start your day by drinking water on an empty stomach.
- Detoxifying Your Body
When you drink water first thing in the morning, it can help you to get rid of toxins that have accumulated in our bodies. As we sleep, toxins build up in our bodies, and we need to flush them out if we want to start our day off in the right way. Drinking water first thing in the morning will stimulate that first essential bowel movement and help to regulate each subsequent bathroom trip for the remainder of the day. This will help you to feel fresher and healthier throughout the entire day.
- Boosting Your Metabolism
Studies have shown that drinking water on an empty stomach will boost the metabolic rate. This is very useful for anybody, but it’s particularly helpful for people that are following a stricter diet for weight loss. When the metabolic rate is increased, the digestion system is much improved, and this can support efforts to lose weight. The proteins and carbohydrates that we consume as we eat are metabolized, and water is needed to transport this energy throughout our entire body. When there is a sufficient level of early hydration, our metabolism is fired up and ready to go before we begin to consume calories.
- Assisting Weight Loss
We’ve already touched on this point, but it’s worth exploring in more detail due to the importance of this topic for many people. The early consumption of water on an empty stomach will reinforce any efforts to lose weight on a healthy diet. The digestive system is improved, and most people feel less hungry and more able to resist food cravings. If you consume water at least 30 minutes before eating breakfast (or any other meal), it can help you to lose weight.
- Skin Complexion
Drinking water in the morning will help you to improve your skin complexion and make you feel more radiant for the day ahead. This is a side effect of the aforementioned release of toxins stored overnight, and well hydrated skin is plumped up and more elastic. Well hydrated skin is better able to receive blood flow and the nutrients that this carries to the face and other parts of the body. This can make the skin glow making people feel healthier and more able to face a busy day.
- Preventing Kidney Stones
A morning drink of water will help you to prevent the formation of kidney stones and protect the bladder and colon from infections. A well hydrated body is better able to maintain healthy organ functions, and this includes extra protection against bladder infections. Drinking water on an empty stomach helps to dilute acids that assist in the formation of kidney stones in the bladder.
- Healthier Hair
Many of us have the occasional “bad hair day,” but this can be prevented by drinking water on an empty stomach. The hair roots can become dehydrated during a long night of sleep, making them feel dry and brittle. Hair is composed of 25% water, and we need a supply of water to carry vital nutrients to the roots and follicles. Drinking water early in the morning will improve general hair health, and it may even add a little bounce for the day ahead.
You can have healthier drinking water at home by installing a whole house water filtration system. Ask your local water treatment expert for more information.