We all know how important it is to stay hydrated for a normal functioning of the body. The recommended amount of water per day is 9-11 cups per day.
According to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drinking water prevents dehydration, a condition that can cause unclear thinking, mood swings, overheating of the body, constipation and kidney stones.
Since water has no calories, it can also help in managing your body weight and reducing your calorie intake when replacing unhealthy drinks like sweet tea or soda.
Drinking water seems like a simple task which doesn’t require much thought but how and when you drink water has a direct impact on your body, so it is important to get it right. Let’s take a look at how to drink water the right way:
Replenish After Sleeping: 1 to 2 cups of water
Don't reach for the coffee right after waking up, drink one to two cups of water first. Because you don't drink while you're sleeping, you wake up already dehydrated. Drinking water upon waking can get you back up to your baseline. This can also help if you take medication in the morning.
Regulate Hunger: Glass before a meal
Drinking a glass of water before a meal can help you feel fuller and help prevent overeating. A small study in Clinical Nutrition Research found that drinking water before a meal helped men and women eat less and feel just as satisfied as a group who didn’t drink water before.
Digest Better: Avoid water while eating
Traditional Chinese Medicine strongly recommends not drinking water with your meals. Having too much water during or near your mealtime can dilute the digestive acids and disturb the proper digestion of foods. If you must drink, take a sip or two at most during your meals.
Help Your Headache: Increase daily water intake
The National Headache Foundation confirms that a headache can be a symptom of dehydration. Dehydration can also trigger migraine attacks. If you suffer from migraines, increasing water intake may help decrease migraine severity, frequency, and duration.
Prep For Exercise: Hydrate before, during and after
Make sure you’re drinking water regularly in the days leading up to a workout, particularly those that are tough or sweaty. For moderate workouts (such as a jog or brisk walk), drink a cup of water about 30 minutes prior and sip during exercise. Then be sure to hydrate well after your workout is complete to replace what you’ve lost through sweat.
Hydrate Before Bedtime: Have a sip or two
Don’t drink a cup or two of water before bedtime. You will have to get up frequently to use the bathroom, disturbing your sleep. Bring a glass of water to your bedside instead, in case you get thirsty during the night. For many patients on medication, one common side effect is dry mouth, so keeping water nearby can be helpful.