Why You Should Drink Water First Thing in the Morning

Drinking water upon waking up is a simple practice that is good for health. Doing this rehydrates your body, which is mildly dehydrated after several hours without water while you sleep.

Water makes up around 60% of your body, and is important for maintaining bodily functions, including digestion, circulation, temperature regulation, and cellular activities. Drinking water in the morning helps jumpstart these essential functions and prepares your body for the day ahead.

Here’s what you can expect from this simple habit, as cited in Medicine Net.

> Better skin. Dehydration can really damage your skin. Drinking water in the morning will lead to better-hydrated skin and reduced wrinkles and will increase your skin’s natural glow.

> Better hair. Your hair is 25% water. Too little water can make it dry and brittle. Drinking water in the morning can increase its shine and strength.

> Weight loss. Water has no calories but can help you feel full. Sometimes we even confuse thirst for hunger. This can cause us to overeat. Drinking enough water will prevent this problem.

> Improved metabolism. Your metabolism can increase by up to 25% when you drink water on an empty stomach. A faster metabolism will make your entire body feel better and more energetic.

> Increased energy. Besides the energetic boost from your increased metabolism, drinking water on an empty stomach also increases your red blood cell count. These added cells increase the amount of energy in your body.

> A boosted immune system. Drinking water on an empty stomach helps balance your lymph system – an important part of your immune system. This makes it easier for your body to fight off infections.

> Fewer kidney stones. Water dilutes the acid in your kidneys, so fewer kidney stones form.

> Cleansed bowels. Drinking water before eating breakfast helps flush out your bowels every morning. This can help keep harmful bacteria from building up. It also helps your intestines absorb nutrients faster.

> Increased toxin flushing. Drinking lots of water will help you flush toxins out of all areas of your body. This will help your immune system and make you feel better overall.

> Decreased heartburn. Drinking water first thing in the morning will dilute your stomach acid and help you digest your food.

> Fewer headaches. Dehydration commonly causes headaches. By drinking water first thing, you can decrease the number of headaches that you get.