This Is What Will Happens to Your Body When You Start the Day With a Glass of Water
There’s a simple trick to starting your day off right: drinking a glass of water. This small habit doesn’t involve expensive gadgets or complicated routines, yet it provides numerous health benefits, such as boosting your metabolism and improving digestion. Instead, it’s something you can do with just a glass and a tap: drinking a glass of water first thing in the morning. You may have heard people talking about this little habit, but have you ever wondered what it actually does for your body? Please continue reading to learn more.
Drinking Water First Thing in the Morning Keeps Your Body Hydrated
When you sleep, your body goes for several hours without any water. By the time you wake up, you’re likely at least a little dehydrated. Drinking a glass of water when you first get up helps to replenish those lost fluids and helps rehydrate your body quickly. Dehydration, even if it’s minor, can leave you feeling sluggish and tired, but this morning’s glass of water will give your body what it needs to function properly.
Staying hydrated is crucial because every single system in your body relies on water. Your muscles, brain, and even your digestive system work better when your body has enough fluid. Starting the day with water can help get you on track for your hydration goals, making it easier to stay well-hydrated throughout the day.
Drinking Water in the Morning Promotes Healthy Digestion and Reduces Constipation
Another benefit of drinking water first thing in the morning is its positive effect on your digestive system. Water helps activate your digestive organs, signaling your stomach and intestines to get ready for the day’s tasks. Essentially, it “wakes up” your gut, priming it for effective digestion.
Starting the day with water can also help soften your stool, making bowel movements easier. If you’ve experienced constipation, a glass of water on an empty stomach can help get things moving. In particular, some medical popular claims suggest that drinking water in the morning helps support regular bowel function and prevents that uncomfortable feeling of being backed up.
Drinking Water in the Morning Boosts Your Metabolism
Drinking water can give your metabolism a little boost. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that drinking water increases your metabolic rate by up to 30% for a short period. This increase in metabolism means that your body starts burning calories more effectively, even without exercise.
The temperature of the water may also play a role—cold water, in particular, requires your body to expend more energy to bring it up to your natural temperature. While it’s not a miracle weight-loss solution, starting your day with a glass of water is a great way to kick your metabolism into gear.
Drinking Water Helps Flush Out Toxins and Supports Kidney Health
While you’re asleep, your body is working hard to repair itself and filter out waste products. Your kidneys, which are responsible for filtering your blood and producing urine, rely heavily on water to function well. Drinking a glass of water in the morning helps flush out these toxins that your body has worked overnight to process and supports healthy kidney function.
Hydration also helps prevent kidney stones, which can form when minerals build up in the kidneys. The Mayo Clinic states that regular hydration helps reduce your risk of kidney stones, and starting your day with water is an excellent first step toward keeping your kidneys in tip-top shape.
Drinking Water in the Morning Improves Brain Function and Mood
Your brain is about 75% water, which means that it needs adequate hydration to work its best. Research shows that even mild dehydration can impair mood, concentration, and memory. When you’re dehydrated, it’s much harder to focus, and you may feel more easily irritated or stressed.
Starting your day with water helps maintain proper fluid balance in the brain, leading to better cognitive function and a more balanced mood. If you want to stay sharp and positive throughout your day, reaching for that glass of water first thing in the morning could make a real difference.
Drinking Water Supports Healthy Skin and Reduces Wrinkles
If you’re concerned about your skin’s health and appearance, hydration plays a significant role. Drinking water in the morning helps your body stay moisturized from the inside out. Proper hydration ensures that nutrients are delivered to your skin cells, which helps maintain elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
While a glass of water isn’t going to erase wrinkles overnight, consistently staying hydrated is one of the simplest and most effective ways to promote healthier-looking skin. Plus, when your skin is well-hydrated, it tends to look brighter, and you may notice less puffiness, especially around your eyes.
Drinking Water Helps Fight Morning Bad Breath
Morning breath is something many of us deal with, and a glass of water can help with that, too. During sleep, your saliva production drops, and your mouth can become dry, which creates an ideal environment for bacteria growth—leading to that stale morning breath.
Drinking water first thing not only helps wash away bacteria but also stimulates the production of saliva, which has natural antibacterial properties. This is an easy way to freshen your breath and get rid of that sticky feeling in your mouth without reaching for sugary breath mints.
Drinking Water in the Morning Helps You Wake Up Faster
Feeling groggy in the morning is a common experience, but drinking water can help reduce that grogginess. Dehydration can often make you feel more tired than you actually are, and a glass of water provides a much-needed boost to help you feel more alert. It also improves oxygen flow throughout your body, making it easier for your cells to generate energy.
Many people believe they need a cup of coffee right away to wake up, but water can do wonders, too. It helps increase your energy levels naturally, without the eventual caffeine crash that coffee sometimes brings.
How Much Water Should You Drink in the Morning?
You might be wondering how much water is enough to experience all these benefits. Experts recommend drinking at least one glass of 8 to 16 ounces (about 250 to 500 mL) of water in the morning. This ensures you get enough hydration to start your day off right without overwhelming your stomach.
You can also add a slice of lemon to your water if you prefer a bit of flavor. Lemon water has its own health benefits, including a boost of vitamin C and aiding digestion, making it an excellent morning option.
The Takeaway
Adding a glass of water to your morning routine is a simple yet effective habit that can provide a whole host of health benefits. From improved hydration to better digestion, boosted metabolism, and even clearer skin, the advantages are too good to ignore. And it takes almost no effort—just fill a glass, drink it down, and you’re on your way to a healthier day.
Set a reminder to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning and notice the difference it makes.
