You all know the drill — drinking at least eight glasses of water is enough to keep you adequately hydrated throughout the day. But did you know that there are specific times within the day where drinking water is the most beneficial for an average person? In fact, drinking water for body hydration at those times can even boost your overall health and cognitive functioning.
Here is a brief rundown of when you should be drinking water to stay hydrated!
1. Drink Water the Moment You Wake Up
Your first glass of water for the day should be right when you wake up. Drinking water on an empty stomach first thing in the morning is good for the body.
A glass or two of water after getting out of bed helps kick your brain and body out of sleep mode and pushes your body into grind mode. Doing this helps eliminate toxins and free radicals that have accumulated in your circulatory system overnight. This is actually one of the easiest ways to perform a detox and purify your body’s internal organs.
For best results, try not to eat anything for the next 30 to 40 minutes after drink your first two glasses of water. This is the time your body is cleansing itself and energising your cells, so it’s best not to distract them with breakfast.
2. Drink Before Eating a Meal
Are you having some digestion problems? Drinking water 30 minutes before eating actually helps your digestion and keeps your caloric intake in check. It essentially prepares your intestines for the food your about to consume. The water lines your stomach and makes you feel fuller faster, preventing you from overeating.
Have you ever felt hungry when you just ate a couple of hours ago? Try pouring yourself a tall glass of water first to see if you’re just dehydrated. Sometimes thirst can be mistaken for hunger when all you really need is some water.
3. Don’t Drink Too Much While Eating
A common mistake that people make is gulping down lots of water during meals and immediately after eating. Water is best absorbed when our stomachs are not full of food. You’re only diluting the natural digestive juices our body secretes during mealtime. To prevent that, drink one glass of water 30 minutes before eating and another glass during mealtime.
After your meal, you can have another glass of water if you’re thirsty. However, it’s best to avoid drinking more until at least an hour later. This will allow your digestive system to effectively break down the food you just ate without being distracted by an unnecessary amount of water.
4. Drink Lots of Water Before and After Working Out
Bringing your reusable water bottle with you to the gym is necessary to keep yourself hydrated. However, there is such a thing as drinking too much water during your workout. Excessive water consumption while exercising can reduce the sodium concentration in your body, which depletes your reserve of natural electrolytes. This is bad is it can eventually lead to fatigue or water intoxication.
Drinking lots of water before your workout is recommended to ensure your body is well hydrated before doing a strenuous activity. During your workout, you can take a few sips, just enough to wet your lips and throat. After exercising, that’s the perfect time to replenish all the water and electrolytes you’ve lost by drinking several ounces of water.
Conclusion
It’s not enough to just drink eight glasses of water a day. You need to know the right moment to drink to ensure you are maximising all the life-giving benefits of water. Even water needs to be taken in moderation, depending on your current situation. Just don’t forget to drink the healthy way, and you’ll be alright throughout the day.
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