You’ll also be revving your metabolism by drinking water first thing in the morning. Drinking a large, cool glass of water (if you want specifics – 500mL) after you wake up has actually been shown to fire up the metabolism by 30% for an hour (2)!
Not to mention, your brain is 75% water. When you’re not properly hydrated, your brain operates on less fuel, and you can feel incredibly drained, or experience fatigue or mood fluctuations (3). Drinking water will also help you eat less, and improve digestion (especially if drank 20 minutes before a meal). It can prevent unnecessary snacking, and will allow you to feel fuller longer.
Drinking water in the morning will also replenish the fact that you are likely dehydrated, even though you might not feel it right away. When we’re dehydrated, we don’t think as clearly, and our mental clarity and alertness significantly declines.
“Dehydration kills by bringing blood pressure down to fatal levels. The more energy you expend, the more likely you are to lose water,” says Randall Packer, an expert from George Washington University. “You lose a little bit of water every time you exhale. You lose water when you sweat. You do make a little water when you metabolize food…but the balance is such that you always need some sort of water intake (4).”
Morning Dehydration
Morning dehydration is just like any other form of dehydration. It occurs when you use or lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn’t have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions. If you don’t replace lost fluids, you will get dehydrated.
Symptoms of dehydration include (4):
• Increased thirst
• Dry mouth and swollen tongue
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Palpitations (feeling that the heart is jumping or pounding)
• Confusion
• Sluggishness
• Fainting
• Inability to sweat
• Decreased urine output
If you wake up in the morning and experience any of the above, it’s a sign that your body needs more water. Also, take notice of the colour of your urine when you first get up to go to the bathroom. If it is bright yellow, then your body desperately needs more water. In fact, looking at the colour of your pee throughout the day is a great way to gauge if you’re getting enough water – you can read more about that here.
Continued on next page:
ADVERTISEMENT
