This Is Why You Should Never Drink Water Before Bed
Water is one of the most critical elements to the human body. When you don't sip enough H2O, your body becomes dehydrated and it could make you look puffier. That's because your body attempts to hold onto every last drop of water it can when you're dehydrated, which can make you look like you've put on extra weight. No one likes the sound of that when you're trying to lose 10 pounds! But, here's the thing: there is a right and wrong time to quench your thirst.
And drinking water before bed may not be the best time to guzzle. (Also, likely not ideal to munch on any of The 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now, although we encourage you to eat these throughout the day!)
Why exactly shouldn't you drink water before bed?
It was completely intentional that drinking water wasn't placed on our list of things to do before bed to lose weight. Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDCES, LPN, CPT explains, "If you drink too much before bed, you may find yourself waking up multiple times in the middle of the night to urinate."
And just like water, sleep is known to be a key factor in obtaining your weight loss goals. The recommended 6-8 hours really make a difference in your life. As a matter of fact, a report in Environmental Health Perspectives states that shorter sleep is linked to obesity, hypertension, and other metabolic disorders.
Palinski-Wade offers a simple solution—cut back on our favorite zero-calorie beverage roughly three hours before you plan on hitting the sheets. Within this time frame, your body will be able to process and you'll use the restroom before it interrupts your beauty sleep.
But just because you shouldn't sip on water before bed doesn't mean you should abandon your water drinking goals! See, dietitian Jim White, RD, ACSM recommends the standard 64 ounces of water a day, or eight 8-ounce glasses. By drinking the recommended intake, your weight loss goal becomes more attainable. Sufficient water intake has the ability to boost your metabolism, help you feel fuller longer, and even keep your energy levels at an all-time high. A review published in the journal Obesity even found that women on four widely different but popular diets all experienced greater weight loss when drinking more water.
Eat This! Tip:
Wake up, and start your day with a nice big glass of H2O. Now you only have seven more to go! By continuing to stay hydrated you'll experience benefits left and right. From clearer skin to an increase in energy, your body will be thanking you. And if you're planning on turning off the lights around 11 p.m., slow down around 8 p.m. to give your body enough time to process the water and allow yourself a restful seven hours of sleep. Next thing you know, your morning alarm is going off and it's time to start all over again!
Looking for more helpful weight-loss tips? Learn how to fire up your metabolism and lose weight the smart way.
