5 benefits of drinking water in the morning
5 benefits of drinking water in the morning
Drinking water is very important for many bodily processes. These include transporting nutrients to cells, regulating the body’s temperature, and lubricating the joints.
If a person replaces their usual morning drink with water, it could provide them with several associated health benefits of increased water consumption.
This article explores what these benefits may be and how much scientific evidence there is for each one. It will also discuss different ways to flavor water and whether there are any risks to drinking water.
1. For mental performance
Water may have an effect on mental performance and cognition.
A 2019 reviewTrusted Source examined the effect of hydration on cognitive performance. It found a trend of improved mental performance in hydrated study participants. However, the findings were not statistically significant, according to the researchers.
Additionally, participants in the study drank water throughout the day. This may suggest that hydration throughout the day may be necessary for better mental performance rather than just drinking water in the morning.
Another 2019 studyTrusted Source on college students found that dehydration negatively affected short-term memory and attention. However, short-term memory and attention improved once the participants rehydrated.
Consequently, if a person wants to improve their mental performance, particularly in the morning, drinking water may be beneficial.
2. Boosting Mood
Drinking water may also have positive effects on a person’s mood.
According to a 2019 study by Trusted Source, dehydration had a negative impact on mood, whereas rehydration improved mood and fatigue symptoms. With this in mind, a person may wish to drink water throughout the whole day to experience prolonged positive effects on their mood.
3. For weight loss
Some people believe that drinking water in the morning can aid in weight loss. For example, a 2019 studyTrusted Source found that higher fluid intake was linked to improved body composition in young adults.
Water intake in the morning has been linked to weight loss in limited studies. However, a 2022 article explains that drinking water prior to eating, like breakfast, can make you feel fuller. This may mean that a person eats less and therefore consumes fewer calories.
Additionally, replacing sugary drinks with water may moderately benefit weight loss. In the morning, sugary beverages like sweetened tea, coffee, or juice can be replaced with water.
Thermogenesis
Thermogenesis is the production of heat. Thermogenesis occurs when a person drinks cold water to warm the body's water and burn calories. According to a previous study from 2013, Trusted Source, 50 girls with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 were asked to drink water and eat a healthy diet. It found that their body weight had decreased after they increased their water intake to 500 ml, three times a day, for 8 weeks. Participants drank the water before breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Researchers attributed the weight loss to water-induced thermogenesis.
However, these studies cannot definitively claim that only the water intake led to the weight loss.
Additionally, the results do not necessarily mean that drinking water specifically in the morning offers weight loss effects.
4. For the skin
Some people believe that an increase in fluid intake can improve the appearance and health of the skin.
A 2024 study found that an increased water intake can help improve skin barrier function. The skin barrier is a layer of protection that covers the skin's outermost surface. It helps to maintain skin health.
A 2018 reviewTrusted Source found that increasing water intake may improve the hydration of the outer layer of the skin. However, the researchers noted that it was unclear whether this would benefit older adults.
However, even adequate skin hydration may not be sufficient to prevent wrinkles or offset the effects of the sun, genetics, or the environment.
Therefore, a person may benefit from hydrating their skin by drinking water throughout the day, but they may not notice any significant changes in its appearance.
5. For other bodily functions
A healthy amount of water intake is also necessary for many body functions. Kidneys: Drinking water can help the kidneys remove waste from the body.
Urinary tract: Drinking plenty of fluid can help maintain urinary tract health. For instance, increasing water intake can aid in the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections.
Cardiovascular system: A 2019 studyTrusted Source found that people require adequate water intake for proper cardiovascular system function.
The study noted that dehydration and inadequate water intake negatively affected blood pressure regulation and vascular function.
Joints and bones: Water is a component of the lubricating fluid around the joints, which could help relieve joint pain.
Risk
Some potential risks of drinking water in the morning may involve:
Drinking too much water: Water toxicityTrusted Source can occur when a person drinks too much water. This can have negative effects on brain function, including confusion, nausea, and vomiting.
Only drinking water in the morning: If a person drinks water only in the morning, there may be a chance that they are not getting enough water, which could make them dehydrated.
Drinking flavored water: A person may also rely too heavily on sugared drinks to meet their daily water intake. For example, flavored water and sweetened beverages contain more calories than plain water. Individuals could instead drink fruit- or herb-infused flavored water or sparkling water.
Summary
Drinking water in the morning may offer some health benefits, especially if a person switches out an alternative morning drink for water.
However, many of the benefits of drinking water are not limited to just drinking it in the morning. It is essential that an individual stays hydrated throughout the day to ensure regular bodily function and minimize dehydration.
Flavored water options may be beneficial for people who find it challenging to increase their water intake. The additional ingredients may also provide added health benefits with regular consumption.

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