To drink or not to drink water before going to bed, that is the question …
Well, we already know that water has a very strong effect on human life, that is, water is life. But did you know that water has a huge impact on your sleep?
I think everyone has experienced the “pleasure” of waking up at midnight with a strong urge to go to the toilet or with a strong feeling of thirst. And what to do after? The dream is gone, the morning is not yet visible, and you are left alone with your thoughts, which do not let you sleep anymore. You think it's all because of the water… And you're right.
There are opinions that one should not drink a lot of liquid before going to bed, as there is a high risk of harming the body.
Here are the main concerns I have gathered from my patients in this regard:
- Water flushes nutrients from the body. This is true, but you should only worry when you drink at least 6 liters of water a day. Normally, its use should not exceed 2.5 liters.
- The likelihood of edema. Edema appears due to a violation of water-salt metabolism or when the body regularly feels a lack of water. At the first opportunity, it seeks to make a supply of liquid. You can eliminate the likelihood of edema by drinking water in the proper amount. After a while, the body will stop storing water. If the cause of edema is a violation of water-salt metabolism, then the rate of water consumption is discussed with the doctor.
- Increased stress on the kidneys. If they are healthy, they can "process" up to 20 liters of fluid per day. In diseases of the heart and kidneys, the rate of fluid intake is determined by a specialist.
- Reluctance to get up at night to go to the toilet. Interrupting sleep and getting up at night is unpleasant. But over time, the body gets used to it, and you have to get out of a warm bed less and less.
In response to the above concerns, I will tell you that the lack of fluid in the body can lead to much more serious disorders.
Find out in this article how to improve your mood, maintain weight and stay focused by knowing when and how much to drink: https://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-living/8-best-times-drink-water/
To function optimally, your body must be hydrated. And not just during the day. When you sleep, your body continues to work actively. At this time, it heals and restores chemical balance. At the same time, the brain processes, transmits and stores all the information received during the day.
Water should be drunk at night to maintain the water-salt balance. During sleep, a person loses moisture through breathing and sweat. A glass of water at night allows you to stock up on it for the future.
If you are dehydrated, you feel dryness in the mucous membranes of your nose and throat, which can cause snoring that disrupts your sleep. Also, it will lead to sore throat or hoarseness in the morning.
Dehydration leads to painful spasms and tension in the calf muscles, makes it difficult to sleep, and can cause you to wake up at night.
The constant lack of water causes problems with the eyes, skin and brain. Thus, you may be more prone to infections, rashes, itching, and headaches.
Food cannot be properly digested with a lack of water. Helps normalize stomach acidity and protects against constipation caused by dehydration.
Water removes toxins from the body. With its deficiency kidney stones and gallbladder stones form, intracellular metabolism slows down, and toxins accumulate.
Those who regularly drink 5 or more glasses of water a day are almost 40% less likely to die from a heart attack. At night, the heart still needs protection, so it's good to drink water before bed.
To ensure hydration and good rest, use these simple methods:
- Drink throughout the day. Try to distribute the required amount of fluid throughout the day and reduce your intake before bed. So you gradually moisturize the body and ensure a restful sleep.
- Drink water in small sips and in small portions, so as not to "overstrain" the kidneys, no later than 30 minutes before bedtime.
- Avoid coffee and alcohol. These drinks not only harm the body, but also lead to its excessive dehydration, and can also cause insomnia.
- Humidify the air. The air in the sleeping room should be cool and humid – otherwise, during the rest, you will lose a lot of fluid and wake up tired.
Healthy sleep is a necessary condition for human life. As you can see, proper rest is impossible without proper hydration. To keep your body working properly, drink water throughout the day, and eliminate factors that cause dehydration.
The body is a smart mechanism that signals its needs. So the best way to stay healthy is to listen to him.