Drinking Water Before Sleep

Drink lots of water every day, and it is one of the most popular pieces of advice people give. However, a lot of people have different opinions about drinking water before sleep. Some believe that it is beneficial for us, and we should encourage drinking water before sleep, whereas some are against this practice. At the same time, there are people who are not sure if they should drink water before sleeping or not. This article will tell you more about the consequences of drinking water before sleep and whether you should do it or not.

Drinking Water Before Sleep

A lot of people say that drinking water before going to bed is beneficial as our body loses water as we sleep through the process of breathing and sweating. So, is it okay if you drink water before going to bed? The answer to this question is not as simple as yes or no. The actual answer is, it depends. Drinking water before sleep has its benefits as well as some side effects. So, let us discuss these benefits and side effects before concluding if drinking water before going to bed should be encouraged or not.

Positive Effects

Here are some of the benefits of drinking water before going to sleep.

Improved Mood: In a study conducted in 2014, researchers discovered that deprivation of water could affect our moods negatively. This negative effect in our mood, in turn, affects our sleep and wake cycles. To show the benefits of water in improving mood and having a positive effect on sleep and wake cycle, researchers examined the fluid intake of 52 subjects. 22 subjects had a high fluid intake, whereas 30 had a lower fluid intake. People who drank lots of water felt uncomfortable and showed negative emotions when their fluid intake was reduced. On the other hand, the subjects who did not have a high fluid intake showed positive signs after their fluid intake was increased. These subjects showed an increase in a positive outlook, satisfaction, and were a lot calmer when their fluid intake was increased.

Cleansing Effect: Drinking water, especially lukewarm water, is one of the best natural ways to detox our bodies and improve the digestive process. Drinking a cup of warm water helps as it increases the rate of blood circulation, helps the body metabolism to break down waste efficiently. It also increases the sweat output, and sweating is an excellent method through which our bodies get rid of waste in the form of salts, toxins, etc. The process of sweating happens as we sleep, and thus having a glass of water before sleep helps in dealing with the water lost due to the sweating process. Drinking water before sleep also helps in getting relief from cramps and stomach pains. Adding a bit of lemon juice to this glass of lukewarm water can also help you deal with cold as well. Lemon juice gives warm water some taste, and the vitamin C present in the juice is beneficial for the immune system.

Provides Relief from Headaches: Most of our brain and body is made up of water. Going to sleep with a headache is not something that you want, and the main reason behind headaches is dehydration. So, if you are dehydrated and suffering from a headache, then going to sleep might not provide any relief. So, drinking water before sleep is helpful, especially if you have a headache.

Helpful In Weight Loss: Drinking water is a great way to reduce weight. There are three ways through which drinking water helps you control your weight.

• Having a fluid intake before bed increases metabolism.
• It also suppresses appetite, so you don’t need to wake up in the middle of the night for a snack.
• If you don’t drink enough water, then the body would try to conserve every drop of water. This process can lead to a bloating or a puffy look. So, staying hydrated at night is essential to maintain a proper fluid balance in the body.

Negative Effects

Drinking water before sleep is generally a good practice. However, some people suffering from certain conditions should avoid drinking water before going to bed, as it can cause some issues.

Nocturia: It is a condition where a person needs to wake up at night with an urge to pee. As Nocturia disrupts the essential sleep and wake cycle, people suffering from this condition can feel fatigued in the morning and might also suffer from sleep deprivation.

Who Is at Risk of Nocturia?

People who have Nocturia risk developing conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart diseases, and depression. Anyone can suffer from Nocturia, but it is commonly seen in older people. However, people suffering from bladder infections, heart diseases, constipation, diabetes, overactive bladder, etc. These are the people who should avoid drinking water before sleep.

How Much Water Should You Drink?

A lot of people recommend drinking at least seven to eight glasses of water per day. However, it actually depends on how much water you want to drink. A person might require just five to six glasses of water depending on their lifestyle, whereas others could require up to ten glasses. As we are discussing the habit of drinking water before sleep, drinking a glass of lukewarm water with a bit of lemon juice is a good habit. So, if you are not suffering from Nocturia, then drink a glass of water before you go to bed as it is helpful. The amount of water that you drink also depends on the weather condition. During summer months, you need to drink more water as compared to that in winter months. As per the CDC recommendation, people should decide to drink water based on their thirst as it is sufficient to fulfill the daily needs of our body when it comes to fluid intake.

Conclusion

As you can see, the benefits of drinking water before sleep greatly outweigh the negatives. So, if you have a habit of drinking a glass of water before going to sleep, then keep it up. However, if you don’t drink water before sleeping, then going through this article might convince you to do so. In the end, it is safe to conclude that drinking water before sleep is beneficial unless you suffer from certain medical conditions that might get worse by drinking water before going to bed.