Drinking water on an empty stomach is a simple habit that brings various health benefits. This practice has long been practiced in various cultures as a way to start the day fresher and improve overall body function. Here are some of the benefits of drinking water on an empty stomach.
- Rehydration
During the six to eight hours of sleep, your body is in a fasted state and continues to lose fluid through various processes such as breathing and sweating. Therefore, it is important to replace these lost fluids immediately after waking up to prevent dehydration. Signs of dehydration can include fatigue, dizziness and more severe health problems if not addressed immediately.
Drinking two to three glasses of water upon waking will fill your body’s hydration tank, thereby overcoming the fluid loss that occurred during the night. This will hydrate your body immediately, ensuring your cells, organs and muscles get the balance of fluid needed to function efficiently throughout the day. In addition, it helps maintain regular bowel movements, which is crucial for flushing out toxins from your body.
- Boosts metabolism
Water consumption, especially on an empty stomach, can have a significant impact on your metabolism. This increase in metabolism means that your body starts burning calories faster, which can contribute to weight management in the long run.
By starting your day with a glass or two of water, you not only rehydrate but also trigger your metabolism. This can be especially beneficial for those looking to boost their weight loss efforts. In addition, a hydrated body ensures enzymes and organs function optimally to absorb nutrients, break down food, and support overall body processes efficiently.
- Prevents weight gain
When drinking water in the morning before breakfast, it can indirectly prevent weight gain. This is because by drinking in the morning, hunger and food cravings will be slightly reduced.
One study also determined that increasing your daily water intake to 50 ounces (1.5 liters) resulted in the burning of 48 extra calories. Over 1 year, a total of about 17,000 extra calories are burned or about 2.5 kg of fat.
- Helps improve skin health
Your kidneys are the main regulators of fluid balance, and they do need water to remove waste from your bloodstream. However, your kidneys’ capacity to rid your body of certain substances is determined by how much of the substance is present, not by your water intake or drinking schedule.
If a substance is present in greater amounts than your kidneys can handle, it triggers the production of large amounts of urine. This is called osmotic diuresis and is different from water diuresis, which occurs when you drink too much water.
There are also claims that drinking water improves skin health. Considering that your skin is about 30 percent water, drinking it in the morning is thought to minimize acne and make it appear moisturized.
- Increases alertness
Drinking water on an empty stomach can also improve alertness. After sleeping through the night, the body is often mildly dehydrated, which can lead to feelings of weakness or lack of focus in the morning.
By consuming water immediately after waking up, you help restore lost body fluids, increase blood flow to the brain, and indirectly improve cognitive function and alertness. Good hydration ensures optimal brain function, helping you feel more alert and ready to tackle your daily activities.
