Drinking Water In the A.M.: How Much and Why?
By Serena Shim
When I was younger, I learned that we need to drink eight glasses of water a day to stay hydrated. You’ve probably heard of this too. Fast forward to college (especially my freshman year!), and I am certainly drinking some water but mostly surviving my mornings with coffee and pulling all-nighters with Holy Grounds iced teas. I started seeing YouTubers post their morning routines and rave about drinking water first thing in the morning. What’s the hype all about? How much water are we supposed to drink?
Water makes up about 60% of our bodies and does so, so many important things for us. Drinking enough water not only promotes healthy and glowing skin, but also promotes regular bowel function. Not having enough water can cause so many issues for us like tiredness, dry skin, and headaches, to name a few.
I started getting into the habit of drinking water right after waking up by filling up my water bottle the night before. Sometimes, if I feel fancy I will cut some lemon wedges to put into my water. I’ve realized it’s a great way to start my day (along with my coffee) and has made me feel a lot less tired in the morning, which is perfect for those 8 a.m. labs.
Some benefits to drinking water on an empty stomach:
Increases energy levels: it increases our red blood cell counts and the amount of oxygen we receive to the brain. The increase in oxygen allows us to be more energetic and alert so we can start our mornings off right.
Boosts metabolism: Water not only makes you feel full, but it can also remove the by-products of fat cells.
Eases aches and pains: Drinking water lubricates and cushions your joints which can help ease back pain, joint pain, and even arthritis. It can also help with chronic headaches since headaches are usually caused by unintentional dehydration or electrolyte imbalance.
Fights toxins and strengthens your immune system: Drinking water can also help flush out toxins that build up in your body. Water especially helps cleanse the colon which makes nutrient absorption easier. It also helps the kidneys in producing hormones, absorbing minerals, filtering blood, and producing urine while preventing kidney stones and bladder infections.
As for how much water you should be drinking, it really depends on a lot of factors and varies for each person. It is recommended that the average adult male drinks 15 cups a day and the average adult female drinks 11 cups a day, which seems like a lot. But factors such as your age, build, environment, gender, diet, activity level, and any pre-existing health conditions impact how much fluid you require each day, too. For instance, if your caffeine intake is pretty high, you might lose more water through extra urination. Plus, any and all of your fluid intake should be considered. This means all types of fluids—fluids that come from fresh fruits and vegetables (cucumbers and pineapples have a very high water content!), prepared foods, sports drinks, tea, and more. Remember though that booze and caffeine have certain diuretic properties; the higher the alcohol content, the more dehydrating it could be.
Instead of following the general rule of “8 glasses a day,” listen to your body! Thirst is the best indicator that you should grab some water. Another thing to check for is the color of your urine. Anything resembling dark yellow or amber isn’t a good sign, while clear urine can be a sign of overhydration. Keep these signs in mind, grab yourself a BPA-free water bottle, and drink up!
