Experts emphasize that the timing of water intake significantly impacts its benefits. Drinking water upon waking aids digestion and metabolism, while a glass before meals prepares the digestive system and can curb appetite. Staying hydrated throughout the day combats fatigue and improves focus. However, excessive water before bed may disrupt sleep. Water is indeed the elixir for your body. From keeping you at the right temperature to helping in digestion and circulation, the role of hydration in your body is crucial. While most of us know that drinking water is essential, experts reveal that when you drink it also matters. When you drink water can also affect how your body benefits from it.Dr. Anshul Singh, team lead of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics at Artemis Hospitals, stresses the importance of drinking water as soon as you wake up. “Drinking water in the morning, right after you wake up, is one of the best times to do it. The body gets a little dehydrated after sleeping for a few hours. Drinking a glass of water helps the body get more water, get its internal organs working again, boost metabolism and it also help get rid of toxins. Before meals is another important time. Drinking a small glass of water 20 to 30 minutes before a meal can help your digestive system get ready and may also help you eat less by making you feel full.”
10 benefits of having water on empty stomach
“You should drink water throughout the day, especially when you feel tired and can’t focus. Mild dehydration can make you tired, give you headaches and make it hard to focus. Drinking enough water helps keep your energy up and your brain working. Drinking a small amount of water before bedtime can help maintain hydration through the night. The best way to stay hydrated is to drink water throughout the day. Drinking enough water is good for your health and helps your body work properly,” Dr. Singh added.
Poll
Do you think drinking excessive water before bedtime disrupts sleep?
Functional Nutritionist Mugdha Pradhan, CEO and& Founder of iThrive, said,”Hydration is most of the time spoken about in terms of how much water one drinks, but equally important is at what time one drinks it. The body functions on biological rhythms, and hydration works best when it supports those rhythms rather than disrupting them. One of the most beneficial times to drink water is right after waking up. After a whole night of sleep, the body is naturally dehydrated. A glass of water in the morning gently wakes up the digestive system, along with supporting circulation, and helps the body begin its detoxification processes. Another very important window is about 30 minutes before meals. Drinking a moderate amount of water before eating supports digestive secretions and then prepares the stomach to break down the food in an efficient manner. However, drinking excessive amounts of water during meals can also dilute digestive enzymes as well as stomach acid, which might eventually leave some people feeling quite bloated or sluggish after eating.””Hydration is also helpful between meals, especially in the afternoon when energy naturally dips. Sipping water during this time supports circulation and avoids mistaking thirst for hunger, which is a common reason behind unnecessary snacking. Equally important is what we avoid. Drinking large amounts of water immediately before bed can disrupt sleep, as it results in increasing night-time awakenings,” Pradhan stressed.While hydration is crucial, it should feel intuitive and not forced. The key is to listen to your body’s thirst signals and space water intake throughout the day. Mindful timing often works far better than following rigid hydration rules.