10 amazing benefits of drinking water on an empty stomach

Oh!! I Just forgot to grab a glass of water since a long time!! Is this your story too??

We all are aware of the importance of this nutrient. Yes, water is a nutrient!! But a neglected one.

Our body constitutes of 60% to 70% of water and without proper hydration, it in inevitable that we will face health problems. Not just that, our modern lifestyle and tastes also influence the amount of water we drink every day.  

The custom of drinking water first thing in the morning is regarded very highly in Ayurveda and in Japanese culture. As soon as you wake up, start your day with 2 glasses of water. However, if the taste bores you, then spice up your bottle with a squeeze of citrus. Before even you realise, that bottle will be empty and your body, happy and healthy!!

Here are 10 amazing reasons why you should drink water on an empty stomach

1. Helps in regular bowel movement

Frequent constipation problem can take a toll on our health and also may disallow throwing of body wastes and toxins.

Drinking water, first thing in the morning helps cleanse your bowels. It creates an urge to move the bowel and thus helps regulate the digestive tract.

2. No morning headaches anymore

Dehydration is one of the biggest causes of headache. Drinking water in the morning on an empty stomach reduces acidity and further helps relieve this problem

3. Speeds up your metabolism

You should increase your metabolism to lose weight. Gulping a glass of water on an empty stomach helps improve metabolism, thus speeds up your food digestion time and in turn aids in shedding down a few kilos too!! It revamps your digestion too!!

4. Reduce the number on your weight scale

Water is completely calorie free and thus drinking enough of it, helps loose weight. It helps detox your body by flushing out the toxins and reducing acidity too!!

5. Get the flawless skin

Do you wonder, why Japanese people have that glowing and flawless skin? Yes, it’s a Japanese tradition to drink water the first thing after waking up.

If you drink less water, your skin starts showing premature wrinkles, and makes skin dull looking. Drinking water on an empty stomach regulates blood flow and in turn improves skin quality. It makes skin look hydrated and radiant.

6. Healthy hair

Water makes up to 1/4^th of hair and thus not drinking enough water makes hair strands brittle and weak causing lots of hair breakage. Drinking enough water helps make hair shiny and healthy looking

7. Strengthen your immunity

When you refill your body with a glass of water after waking up, it strengthens your lymphatic system and helps flush out all the toxins from the body. It also prevents chances of infection from spreading.

All of this boosts your immune system, thus keeping all sorts of viral and bacterial infections at a bay!!

8. Makes you feel more hungry

There are many people who don’t feel hungry in the morning. Drinking water in the morning however, helps throw out body wastes, clears digestion, burns calories and in turn build up your appetite.

A good appetite indicates good and healthy body.

9. Prevents UTI

When you hold the urine throughout the night, the harmful bacteria and toxins of the urine gather near the walls of the bladder.

Drinking water, the first thing in the morning, helps empty the bladder properly, thus avoiding UTI

10. Feel fresh and energetic

Our body repairs itself in the night and casts out all the body’s toxins. When you drink water in the morning, all of these toxins are flushed out from your body making you feel refreshed!!

Also, it promotes healthy growth of red blood cells, which results in more oxygen and more energy

Even after knowing all these benefits, are you among the people who dislike plain water??

Here are a few recipes that you can substitute for plain water

1. Fruit water or Citrus-infused water : Adding few pieces of fruit to your bottle of water can add on some natural flavour and make your drink feel like more of a treat.

Take a bottle filled with water. Add fruits like sliced lemon, Sweet lime, watermelon, strawberries or oranges to it. Keep sipping the fruit infused water.

2. Lemon juice : A glass of old Nimbu paani is one of the most hydrating drinks. Healthy tip- You can skip the sugar and drink plain lemon water.

3. Jeera water : Popularly known to cool your system, jeera water can also be a great early morning drink for weight loss.

Soak Jeera overnight in a glass of water. Strain it next day and consume.

SUGGESTED READING

1. Becoming a morning person : Secrets of early risers - READ MORE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sneha Jain, Dietician

Sneha is a Post graduate with specialization in Nutrition and Dietetics. She is a university topper and holds 5+ years of experience in Apollo hospitals, VLCC, slimsutra and first cry fit-kids . She has successfully counselled clients all over India for weight loss, weight gain, diabetes, hypertension, PCOD, hypothyroid, Pregnancy and lactation and growth charts for children. She has her own diet consultation e-clinic (diet_diariez)

She believes in  customized diets and eating local and seasonal foods. Her counselling not only involves diet planning, but also lifestyle modification and stress relief strategies.