I don’t know about you, but I used to think coffee first thing in the morning was just what I needed to wake up, but I could not have been more wrong.
Fun Fact: Drinking water can make you more productive than drinking caffeine!
Because our bodies are made up of 70% water, we benefit from drinking water most when we haven’t replenished ourselves for a long time, like when we’ve slept for eight hours.
So why do so many of us have such a hard time drinking water, myself included?
It’s probably because we don’t have a big enough why – I mean, it’s not like this is new – that we need to drink water. Think of why you drink water right now, and then read this, and tell me if your why changes. I know mine did!
Drinking water on an empty stomach is AMAZING for you because….
1. It improves your metabolism
Metabolism is the rate at which your body converts food into energy. Studies, such as the one published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, find that drinking 17oz (.5L) of water increases metabolism by 30% in healthy men and women.
2. It improves the health of your urinary tract
The reason urinary tract infections become more common as you age is because over time, you’ve been holding it in for prolonged periods, like when you’re sleeping.
It’s not like we can help it, but if we’re not careful, it can lead to the formation of harmful bacteria and toxins on the walls of your bladder.
That’s why it’s super important to have a glass of water, a diuretic, when you wake up so it can help you to properly empty your bladder first thing in the morning.
3. It helps clear your bowels
Drinking water first thing helps clear out your bowels. When your constipated (i.e. when you’re not drinking water), you retain toxins inside your body. So, just like the last point, water in the morning helps you flush out those toxins, so you can start your day off right!
4. It improves your appetite
We talked about how drinking water could help clear your bowels and burn calories. Well, when you first wake up, your stomach is empty, so it’s natural to feel hungry.
When you drink water before eating or drinking anything else, you’re actually preparing your body for the most important meal of the day: breakfast.
Drinking a glass before any meal is always a great idea!
5. It prevents migraines and headaches
If you are prone to getting migraines or even headaches, then water can really help fight them off. Migraines and headaches typically happen because of dehydration, among other reasons.
This is especially true if you drink water in the morning because your body got no fluids when you were asleep.
6. It prevents premature aging
I’m convinced that water is the secret to life. Water helps release toxins, such as bacteria and other harmful elements in our body, which in turn help our body to fight off the effects of free radicals that can cause premature aging.
When you’re hydrated from the inside, your whole body – skin, organs, muscles – will feel rejuvenated. Your skin especially, when it’s hydrated, can better maintain its elastic and toned appearance.
7. It helps to balance your nervous system
Your stomach is the most receptive in the morning, and when you drink warm or even hot water in the morning, your central nervous system is properly hydrated from the get-go and will function a whole lot better than if let’s say you stimulated it with coffee first thing.
What are other benefits of drinking water?
It increases brain power and provides energy
I’m not sure if you knew this, but your brain is made up of over 70% of water, so it should not come as a surprise that drinking water helps you think, focus, concentrate, and stay alert. Translation: your energy will also improve.
It keeps you regular
Water helps your body digest everything you eat. When you’re not hydrated, your body struggles to perform at its best and can leave you feeling constipated if you’re not careful.
It boosts your immune system
We said before that water helps flush out toxins, so it should come as no surprise that it helps keep your immune system strong.
It promotes health and weight loss
Water helps remove fat by-products and helps you feel more full. Adding lemon essential oil can also help to cleanse the body of toxins.
It helps prevents cramps and sprains
When you’re dehydrated, it can lead to cramping and even sprains because water acts as a natural lubricant to your joints and muscles. Staying hydrated can help you retain or develop more flexibility, and reduce the likelihood of feeling sore after a workout.
It helps regulate your body temperature
Sweating is your body’s way of helping you to cool down if your temperature is too high. It’s not just exercise that makes us hot and sweat either. Spicy food, climate, emotion, stress, hormones… we lose a lot of water throughout the day without realizing it, so staying hydrated helps your body maintain its temperature.
Fun Fact: On any given day, we stand to lose 64 ounces, which is almost 2 litres (1.89 to be more precise)
It prevents bad breath
Bad breath is actually a clear sign of dehydration, because when you drink enough water, it washes the food particles and oral bacteria that caused the bad breath.
It improves your heart health & circulation
Research has shown a link between coronary heart disease and water consumption. Water maintains the proper viscosity of blood and plasma and fibrinogen distribution. Fibrinogen is a blood plasma protein that is made in your liver. It is one of 13 coagulation factors that is responsible for normal blood clotting.
It prevents backaches
This one I learned when studying anatomy in my Yoga Teacher Training – the discs of your spinal cord are made up of water, so quite simply, when you don’t drink enough water, you can compromise these discs, which can lead to back pain. Here’s a quick 3 minute video to help explain.
It helps prevent and take the edge off your hangover
When you wake up the morning after a few drinks, the chances are you’re already dehydrated, which can lead to a hangover. Be proactive and drink a glass of water for each drink you consume. Your wallet will thank you as well 😉
It improves your mood
I mentioned this before but when you drink water, and enough of it, your body is hydrated and operating at its optimal level. When that happens, you’re likely to feel pretty good about yourself, and therefore in a really good mood!
Mind-blowing right?! I mean, when you really look at all the things water does for you and your body, how can we not love drinking it?!
I love adding fresh fruit like raspberries, blueberries, any berry really, along with some mint – wow! so refreshing. Essential oils are great too, lemon is my go-to, but I love grapefruit essential oil as well.
If you really need some motivation, you can also track your water intake using apps like Fitbit or MyFitnessPal – both free and easy to use.
Want to learn more about how water can benefit your health? Check out the book recommendation below.
Until next time!
About the author…
Natalia is a Certified Wellness Coach, Yin Yoga Teacher, and an Independent International Distributor with Young Living. She holds an MBA and CPA, and before transitioning into her role as a Wellness Coach, she worked at one of the top Canadian Wealth Management firms in Canada, acting not only as a coach and mentor to her staff, but also as acting co-chair and mentor to women enrolled in their Women’s Mentorship Program. Natalia is now dedicated to helping create a better and happier world; helping people find their way back to healthy, clean living so that they can break free from what’s holding them back and live their best life.
