8 Important Benefits Of Drinking Water On An Empty Stomach

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. 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.

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

2. 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?

Drinking water can relieve migraine and dehydration-related headaches within 30 minutes to 3 hours (1).

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!

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.

1. 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.

2. After drinking water, you can clean and brush your teeth. Avoid eating or drinking anything for around 45 minutes.

3. After this, you can have your breakfast.

4. 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.

Did You Know?

The effect of water on your heart rate and blood pressure levels occurs within 15-20 minutes of drinking and may last for 60 minutes (1).

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.

Drinking Cold Water In The Morning 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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!

Was this article helpful?

Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Anjali AsokBAMS, MD (Ayu)

 

Dr. Anjali is a staunch believer of Ayurveda. Her holistic approach and passion for science help her treat her clients. She has 4 years of expertise in dealing with metabolic and lifestyle-related disorders, digestive care, women's health, skin and beauty, allergic conditions, detox procedures, and rejuvenating therapies.

Read full bio of Dr. Anjali Asok

Ramya KaramsettiContributor

 

Ramya Karamsetti is a contributor to StyleCraze. She loves writing articles on beauty, health, and wellness and advocates using natural remedies to solve everyday skin and hair issues. When she is not writing, she loves traveling and going on adventure trips.

Read full bio of Ramya Karamsetti

Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda

Dipti SharmaBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Dipti is a health and wellness writer specializing in holistic health practices. She graduated from Maharishi Dayanand University, Haryana, and has worked closely with Ayurvedic doctors, which has given her a deep understanding of traditional remedies and their applications.

Read full bio of Dipti Sharma