Most people will tell you that they do not drink enough water. Drinking water is essential to health, beauty and longevity. We all know that hydration is key for good health, but timing your consumption of water can be equally as important. It is not about how much water you drink, it is about when you drink it! Drinking moderate amount of water at correct times can be even more beneficial than drinking 8 glasses of water at odd timings. Here are the best times to drink water for a healthy and hydrated you:
AFTER WAKING UP
After waking up, try to get at least 2 full glasses of water in order to active your internal organs. You may also be dehydrated from the night before so this can help to provide you with some liquids as well. It’s best to sip and not chug these, and if two feels like too much, just drink one.
BEFORE MEAL
Drink one glass of water 30 minutes before a meal to help digestion. Drink water an hour after the meal to allow the body to absorb the nutrients.
WHEN HUNGRY
Drinking water before a snack or with one will help you feel full faster, helping keep calorie intake in check. Sometimes people think they’re hungry when they’re really just thirsty: If you’re feeling hungry between meals, pour yourself a tall glass of fresh drinking water first to see if you’re dehydrated.
BEFORE AND AFTER WORKING OUT/GYM
Drinking water before and after working out protects against dehydration. Especially for someone with a fibrotic liver, dehydration means thicker blood that makes filtration by the liver that much more challenging. Drinking water before and after a workout prevents dehydration, therefore protecting the liver from processing a backlog of toxins.
WHEN YOU ARE ILL OR FEEL FEVERISH
When you’re sick, you need to drink plenty of fluids, including water, to get better. Drinking eight glasses of water daily (8 ounces per glass) is still a good goal for most people, but other fluids like tea, juice and soup count toward your total intake, too. 1 glass of water before taking a bath helps lower blood pressure.
BEFORE BEDTIME
Drink one glass of water an hour before bedtime to replenish any fluid loss that can occur during the night. Drinking a glass before bed provides the body with water needed to aid in detoxification during sleep. Many people experience a strong disruption to their sleep when they wake to urinate; in that case, a few swallows at bedtime won’t hurt.
WHEN YOU ARE TIRED
Did you know that fatigue is one of the signs of dehydration? Because of water’s ability to move quickly through the body, water can reach your brain and give you a little boost! If you’re feeling the need for a nap but can’t take one, have a glass or two of water instead.