8 Important Benefits Of Drinking Water On An Empty Stomach
You won't be able to resist having water on an empty stomach after knowing its advantages.
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Drinking water regularly benefits your overall health and may help get rid of several issues in your body. Be it a headache, constipationi A condition characterized by slow, uncomfortable bowel motions or less than three bowel movements per week. , or dehydration, drinking water on an empty stomach has many benefits. In fact, learning about the great health benefits of drinking water on an empty stomach may just inspire you to make this simple, healthy habit part of your routine. Our body comprises 70 percent water, and keeping yourself hydrated is essential for regular bodily functions (1). Be it early in the morning or after an intense workout session, drinking water on an empty stomach will keep you healthy and glowing. Without water, our body can suffer through health issues later. In this article, we take a deeper look into some of the benefits of drinking water on an empty stomach. Scroll down to read on.
In This Article
Understanding Water Therapy
The Japanese were the first to introduce water therapy to the world, and they follow it religiously. They drink water immediately after waking up, and this therapy has been backed by various studies as well. Here is a proper tutorial on how you can follow water therapy.
- As soon as you wake up in the morning, drink a liter of water before brushing. If you’re a newbie, you can start with a smaller quantity.
- After drinking water, you can clean and brush your teeth. Avoid eating or drinking anything for around 45 minutes.
- After this, you can have your breakfast.
- After your regular meals, do not drink anything for two hours. Then, drink a liter of water again.
This helps you keep many diseases at bay, and you can notice new energy and freshness within a few days. Water therapy may help reduce blood pressure and gastritisi A collective term for a number of ailments that cause the inflammation of the stomach lining. along with promoting reduced constipation and reduced risk of kidney stones and diabetes with no side effects at all.
Now that you have understood the basics of water therapy, it is important to explore the specific benefits of drinking water on an empty stomach. This way, you will be able to maximize its effectiveness. Keep reading to know more.
Benefits Of Drinking Water On An Empty Stomach
Drinking water on an empty stomach offers a range of health benefits that can kickstart your day and improve your overall well-being. Here are some advantages of this simple habit.
1. It Speeds Up Metabolism
If you are on a diet, drinking water on an empty stomach can give your diet a boost as it can help raise the metabolic ratei The quantity of energy measured in joules or calories that an animal uses during a given timeframe. by almost 30 percent
(2). Increased metabolism may lead to improved digestion of food, and this helps in losing weight in the long run. It is always preferred to drink at least four liters of water per day for best results.
Drinking water helps stay hydrated and speeds up metabolism. This graph from a 2018 study in Nutrients demonstrates the total water intake by healthy, college-aged women on a daily basis. It showed that most of them consumed less than 1.8 liters of water everyday, which can have an adverse effect on health.
Frequency Of Habitual Total Water Intake In College-Aged Women
Source: Water Intake, Water Balance, and the Elusive Daily Water Requirement2. It Boosts Your Immunity.
We are aware of the fact that water is essential for our overall health and wellness. What we also need to know is that water is necessary to maintain fluid balance in the body. Making it a habit of drinking water regularly on an empty stomach can prove to be beneficial for our immune system with the restored and increased energy levels. This can help you fight off infections (3).
3. It Clears Your Bowels.
Drinking water on an empty stomach can assist in regulating the digestive tract. And when you drink a lot of water, you feel the urge to empty your bowels. Practicing this daily can lead to improved bowel movements and reduced bloating, and also contributes to getting rid of waste from your body (1). This way, you cleanse and detoxify your body. It also prevents bloating (1).
Getting rid of the accumulated sludge also enables faster absorption of nutrients. This results in a healthier colon and an overall healthy body (4).
4. It Prevents Migraine Attacks.
Did You Know?One of the primary reasons people suffer from frequent headaches and migrainei A pulsing, intermittent headache that usually affects one side of the head and is coupled with nausea and blurred vision. attacks is due to a lack of water in the body (1). Dehydration is the root cause of headaches, and drinking water at frequent intervals, especially on an empty stomach, can lead to reduced headaches naturally (5). Not only this, but drinking sufficient water also helps in keeping oral or dental problems at bay.
5. It Helps In Weight Loss.
Drinking more water while on a diet can help you lose weight fast as water has no calories at all, and drinking it at frequent intervals will help in keeping your stomach full. Also, it has no negative consequences. Since drinking a lot of water helps in speeding up the metabolism, it helps in burning calories faster (6).
6. It Subsides Your Hunger
Drinking water on an empty stomach helps in better nutrient absorption and fills up the stomach early to subside the feeling of hunger. According to research, pre-meal water ingestion may lower food intake and help in weight management (7).
7. It Clears The Complexion.
Drinking plenty of water is associated with improved skin complexion. It is the easiest way to get clear and glowing skin. Blemishes or dark patches are usually caused due to the accumulation of toxins in the body. Water can help remove these unwanted toxins from the body. Regular bowel movements also help in achieving clean and clear skin (8). Drinking water on an empty stomach can help in speeding up the process.
8. It Helps In Boosting Energy.
If you feel sleepy or sluggish, drinking water on an empty stomach can make you feel active instantly (9). It stimulates the red blood cells to grow faster, which results in more oxygen and energy.
In this way, drinking water on an empty stomach has numerous other benefits too such as a reduced risk of heart disease, reduced fatigue, reduced risk of high blood pressure, and much more!
Did You Know?Drinking water can boost your immunity and aid in weight loss. But should you drink cold water on an empty stomach? Find out in the next section.
Is It Ok To Drink Cold Water On An Empty Stomach?
There are various benefits of drinking cold water, such as maintaining body temperature, keeping your body energized, etc. Studies done on animals suggest that drinking very cold water for several days may lead to weight loss and reduced pepsin activity. While this might seem appealing, it’s important to consider the benefits of drinking cold water in moderation. Excessive consumption of very cold water may disrupt the insulin pathway, potentially causing memory and cognitive problems. Hence, drinking very cold water for a prolonged time may negatively affect your stomach and brain function (10).
Another study found that drinking cold water may increase stomach sensitivity in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (11). Therefore, avoid drinking very cold water at any time of the day to avoid such issues.
Drinking water on an empty stomach is a habit that can fetch you all the above health benefits. It not only beneficial for a boosted immune system and improved liver function, enhances hydration levels, and detoxes your body, but also helps in weight loss and prevents migraine attacks. Drinking enough water also helps with reduced risk of urinary tract infections and improved lymphatic system function too. While drinking a liter of water before brushing is advisable, you can start with smaller quantities and build up the habit gradually to see a notable difference in your overall health.
Key Takeaways
- A glass of water on an empty stomach has beneficial effects such as better digestion, optimum hydration, and enhanced metabolism.
- It removes toxins from the body by boosting kidney function.
- It prevents constipation by hydrating the colon and enhancing bowel movements.
- Drinking a glass of water can improve the skin’s health and increase metabolism and energy levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can drinking too much water on an empty stomach be harmful?
Yes, drinking too much water on an empty stomach can be harmful. Drinking too much water too quickly can lead to health issues like low sodium levels (hyponatremia), high blood pressure, or fluid buildup in the body. People at a higher risk for these issues include those who are on certain medications like thiazide diuretics or have very low salt intake (12). Additionally, drinking too much water may lead to other issues such as water toxicity. Therefore, it is best to consult your healthcare provider before starting this routine.
When should you not drink water?
It is important to keep your body hydrated throughout the day. Hence, there is never a bad time to drink water. However, drinking excessive amounts of water right before going to bed can disrupt your sleep. So it is recommended to stop drinking water at least 2 hours before going to bed.
Is it better to sip or gulp water?
It is better to sip water. Sipping water slowly allows saliva, which is alkaline, to neutralize the acid levels in the stomach. This helps in digestion, reduced acidity, and flushes out toxins. However, gulping down water at once prevents the saliva from going down, possibly causing the impurities to settle in the kidneys and bladder.
Why do the Chinese drink hot water?
Ancient Chinese medicine claims that there are various benefits of drinking hot water as it balances the cold and humidity. It helps the digestive system function better and aids in improved circulation and body detoxification.
Start your day with a glass of water on an empty stomach! Learn about the benefits of drinking water in the morning and how it can improve your health in this helpful video. Check it out!
References
Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.
- Water Hydration and Health
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2908954/ - Water-induced thermogenesis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14671205/ - Effect of hydration status on high-intensity rowing performance and immune function
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19223676/ - Colon cleansing regimens. A clinical study in 1200 patients
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6754521/ - Water deprivation: a new migraine precipitant
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15953311/ - Drinking water is associated with weight loss in overweight dieting women independent of diet and activity
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18787524/ - Effect of Pre-meal Water Consumption on Energy Intake and Satiety in Non-obese Young Adults
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6209729/ - Dietary water affects human skin hydration and biomechanics
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4529263/ - The impact of water intake on energy intake and weight status: a systematic review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC2929932/ - Drinking water temperature affects cognitive function and progression of Alzheimer’s disease in a mouse model
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7921420/ - Visceral hypersensitivity following cold water intake in subjects with irritable bowel syndrome
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16741609/ - Hydration and Kidney Health
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5646211/
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