In terms of water, it could really feel like we’ve heard (and tried!) the whole lot. Drink eight glasses a day, eat your water, water alone isn’t sufficient. Whereas the jury remains to be out on a few of these wellness “guidelines,” we will all agree: staying hydrated needs to be prime of thoughts. However… do you know there are particular factors in the course of the day which are one of the best time to drink water? Sure, actually.
The truth is, consuming water at these occasions may even enhance your general well being and cognitive functioning. In case you’re like me, you’re most likely pondering to your self, “Water is water, I would like it irrespective of the time of day!” Whereas that is technically true, analysis exhibits that you would be able to really take up extra of water’s well being advantages and enhance your inside processes by consuming it at optimum occasions all through the day.
Science exhibits that consuming water on the appropriate occasions of day might help forestall frequent issues equivalent to abdomen ache, IBS, bloating, fatigue, overeating, hypertension, constipation, and even coronary heart assault and stroke.
The Greatest Time to Drink Water to Help Optimum Well being
On the flip facet, there are additionally sure occasions of day when it’s suggested to forego the H2O since our our bodies are busy and want all inside roadways clear to do their work. So, it’s time to maximise water’s effectiveness and reap all of the well being advantages that nature’s long-standing MVP has to supply. Forward, uncover one of the best occasions of day to drink (and to not drink) water.
Editor’s Be aware: The views expressed on this article mirror these of the creator and are meant to share concepts and spark a dialog that may empower ladies to be proactive of their well being. As all the time, on the subject of issues of well being, we encourage you to do your analysis, do what’s best for you, and discuss along with your physician in an effort to create a plan that’s optimum for you.
Do: Drink Proper When You Wake Up
Your first glass of water needs to be proper if you get up. Consuming water on an empty abdomen within the morning can do wonders for our our bodies, each internally and externally. The truth is, consuming two semi-warm glasses of water very first thing within the morning is an historic Japanese day by day ritual. The routine has been attributed to the well being, magnificence, and longevity of its folks. (Howdy #skingoals.)
A glass or two of water very first thing within the AM helps prime your mind and physique for the day. It additionally removes any toxins and cussed free radicals which have accrued in your circulatory system in a single day and helps clear and purify your physique’s inside organs. World’s best two-minute detox? Take into account it performed.
Professional Tip: For finest outcomes, attempt to not eat something till 30-40 minutes after consuming. That is when the physique hydrates and energizes the cells with new oxygen.
Do: Drink Earlier than You Eat
Drink a glass of water half-hour earlier than any meal. This can be a key behavior that helps digestion. Not solely does the water put together your intestines for the meals coming down the pike, however it additionally prevents you from over-eating because the water strains your abdomen and makes you are feeling fuller sooner.
Based on Ilana Muhlstein, MS, RDN, who’s a part of the chief management staff for the American Coronary heart Affiliation and leads the Bruin Well being Enchancment Program at UCLA, consuming water earlier than a meal can create a way of fullness and cut back your urge for food. She tells The Thirty, “Once you take one thing heavy, like 16 ounces of water, it actually provides this weight and heaviness in your abdomen, and it fully quiets that sense of urgency since you’re satisfying that starvation hormone. It results in this sense of calmness and fullness.”
Don’t: Drown Your Abdomen Throughout Mealtime
A standard mistake folks make (myself included) is gulping down water throughout and instantly after consuming. As a result of we take up water finest when our stomachs aren’t filled with meals, consuming heavy quantities of water throughout or straight after a meal dilutes the pure juices that assist in digestion. It’s really useful to drink one glass of water half-hour earlier than, throughout, and after a meal—however no extra. This may enable your digestive system to do its factor with none moist and wild distractions and can assist your physique take up the vitamins extra effectively.
Ali Miller, RD, CDE integrative dietitian and proprietor of Naturally Nourished, tells Prevention: “Extreme liquids throughout meals can result in bloating, indigestion, and even nutrient malabsorption.”
Professional Tip: Stopping for small sips throughout a meal slows down the velocity at which you eat, inflicting you to eat much less general. Consuming at a slower velocity lets you examine in along with your starvation alerts and often makes a meal extra satisfying. And everyone knows having fun with what you eat is a giant a part of sustaining a balanced weight loss program and, most significantly, a contented life.
Do: Drink Earlier than (and After) a Exercise
Relying in your physique’s fluid ranges on the time, you might want a number of glasses of water earlier than you hit the fitness center to guard in opposition to dehydration throughout your exercise. After we sweat, we lose each water and electrolytes, so it’s vital to drink no less than eight ounces of water beforehand to preemptively change the fluids misplaced by means of sweat and humidity throughout train.
Professional Tip: Following vigorous train, you might must drink a number of ounces of water to replenish very important fluids misplaced all through your exercise. The quantity you’ll want is dependent upon your weight, well being, and whether or not you exercised in sizzling or humid circumstances—particularly for lengthy durations—amongst different components.
Don’t: Drink Too A lot Throughout a Exercise
Preserve your self hydrated whereas exercising, however keep away from consuming an excessive amount of. Extra water consumption throughout your exercise will cut back sodium focus in your physique and deplete your pure electrolytes, leading to fatigue or worse.
Only a few small sips (sufficient to coat your mouth and throat) throughout your exercise’s relaxation durations will preserve you hydrated and your power ranges secure. You wish to keep away from over-hydrating and diluting your pure power. The very best factor to do? Take heed to your physique.
Do: Drink Earlier than Bedtime
In case you are hydrated earlier than going to mattress and sleeping, you might decrease your threat of coronary heart assault and stroke, as dehydration elevates the chance components for heart problems. The truth is, in line with a examine within the European Journal of Diet, dehydration can impair vascular operate virtually as a lot as smoking a cigarette.
Stavros Kavouras, affiliate professor and coordinator of the Train Science Program on the College of Arkansas, mentions within the examine, “You could possibly be mildly dehydrated with out understanding it when you have endothelial impairment much like smoking a cigarette. The diploma of dehydration when these modifications happen is at lower than two % dehydration, which is across the threshold when folks begin feeling thirsty.”
Dehydration may also adversely have an effect on your temper, which in flip can throw your general sleep cycle out of whack. And isn’t that motive sufficient to have a glass earlier than mattress?
Professional Tip: Attempt to drink your final glass of water about an hour earlier than mattress in case you can. You’ll save your self a middle-of-the-night journey to the toilet!
Do: Drink When You’re Drained
Consuming a glass of water if you really feel drained will assist energy up your mind. As a result of your mind consists of 75% water, consuming a glass or two if you’re feeling sleepy will assist replenish very important fluid ranges and improve cognitive functioning. Drink a glass of water in case you’re feeling drained at work or when you’ve got a giant presentation arising and must focus. If in case you have a hankering for a nap however can’t take one, drink a glass of cool water as a substitute.
Professional Tip: Do you know that fatigue is without doubt one of the major indicators of dehydration? Due to its capability to maneuver shortly all through the physique and on to the mind, consuming water can provide the enhance you want earlier than a giant assembly or if you’re on deadline and didn’t get as a lot shut-eye as you’d want. Pure caffeine? We’ll take it!
Do: Drink When You’re Sick
Even when optimum well being is the objective, sickness occurs to everybody. In case your physique is sick with the flu or the same virus, staying hydrated is vital. Sure signs like vomiting and fever can result in dehydration, so that you wish to keep on prime of your water consumption in case you’re feeling beneath the climate. Staying hydrated will assist along with your restoration, and get you again to feeling like your finest self sooner.
This put up was final up to date on April 14, 2025 to incorporate new insights.