While most authorities on the subject agree that it’s best to drink the commonly recommended 8 glasses of water each day (although some suggest a different amount), there appears to be some difference of opinion about the time of day you should consume it.
But why should that matter? Water is water, and it works the same way whenever you drink it, right?
Not according to some sources. In fact, there’s a growing number who believe drinking water right before bed is healthy and recommend it. On the other hand? There are also those who swear by drinking it, but only if it’s done earlier in the day.
Let’s dive a little deeper and see why the hour of our ingestion is in question:
Why does the hour of day matter when you’re drinking water?
Fact: All humans need to consume water daily in order for our bodies to function optimally.
It’s true. In order to maintain proper hydration, we must drink the right amount of water. But what happens when we don’t?
If we aren’t drinking enough water, our bodies can become dehydrated. If allowed to continue, dehydration can cause us to experience weakness and decreased energy levels, headaches, dizziness, or dark-coloured urine.
To avoid these symptoms, water should be consumed regularly, at least 64 ounces daily.
But what if it’s bedtime? Let’s check out the pros and cons of drinking water at bedtime so we can compare:
PROS of drinking water before bed:
Drinking water at bedtime can cause mood elevation
A study from 2014 revealed that drinking water before bed can help you remain calm and able to feel positive emotions. During this study, participants who normally drink large amounts of water were split into groups which were given large and small amounts of fluid.
The group that was forced to reduce their intake reported being less calm and experiencing fewer positive emotions, while the other group reported the opposite.
Drinking water at bedtime can help with temperature regulation
If you have trouble with waking up due to being too cold or too hot during the night, drinking a cup of water before bed may help you remain asleep. The Centers for Disease Control states that proper hydration keeps the body temperature in the average range.
Drinking water at bedtime can help with breathing difficulties
For anyone who struggles with asthma or other breathing-related issues, a nighttime glass of water may be a helpful solution. Proper hydration helps keep the airways relaxed so they don’t become constricted.
Drinking water at bedtime can maintain healthy skin
Wake up with a freshly hydrated face free of premature wrinkles or sagging skin when you drink a glass of water at bedtime.
Drinking water before bed can boost your immune system
Drinking plenty of water cleans your system of bacteria rather than allowing it to sit in the bladder where it can cause problems and lead to infection.
Drinking water at bedtime can encourage body detoxification
Especially if the water is warm, drinking it at bedtime can help the body detoxify by improving blood circulation, maintaining hydration, breaking down waste, removing toxins, improving digestion, and increasing sweat.
Those experiencing cramps or stomach pain may find relief by drinking warm or hot water at bedtime.
If you enjoy a hot beverage at bedtime, but water alone isn’t working for you, try some unsweetened and decaffeinated green tea or a glass of warm milk instead.
Drinking water at bedtime can keep you heart healthy
Your heart has a tough job pumping blood throughout your entire body to all its organs all day and night. Making sure you’re well-hydrated supports your heart in its work by alleviating some of its stress.
CONS of drinking water before bed:
Drinking water at bedtime can lead to an increased risk of nocturia
Some insist that drinking water before bed is problematic because it can cause you to wake up to urinate — which seems harmless enough, but actually sets you up for an increased risk of a condition called nocturia.
Nocturia can impact one’s memory, ability to concentrate, as well as affecting other health areas like increasing the risk of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, constipation, bladder infections, and depression.
To lower the risk of nocturia, it’s considered best to avoid drinking water (or any fluids) late in the evening, instead limiting water intake to the daytime hours.
Don’t want to drink water before bed, you can:
If you’re waking up too much at night when drinking water at bedtime, it’s understandable to look for an alternative. Great news — there are several things you can do instead. Some of them include:
- Instead of drinking water at bedtime, drink a full glass of water with each meal. This can help fill you up so you won’t overeat, and satisfy your daily water intake needs simultaneously.
- Up your veggie and fresh fruit consumption to boost your water intake. Fruits and vegetables comprise a large percentage of water, making them a great source of hydration.
- Make sure you drink water every time you exercise, especially if you break a sweat. Some suggest drinking water before and after every workout.
- Drink a glass of water whenever you feel hungry. This can help prevent overeating and between meal snacking while you maintain your daily water intake.
Is it good to drink water before bed? CONCLUSION
Overall, having a glass of water at bedtime seems like a healthy trend, but if you have difficulty with it, i.e. waking up too many times at night — remember the issues that can develop from that, and consider that there are alternatives available.
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