It is common practice to drink two full glasses of water upon waking. It’s said have the ability to fully cure a number of diseases, including cancer, as well as provide a host of other benefits. And I think they may be on to something.
#1 It rehydrates your dehydrated body
When you wake up after a long sleep, your body is naturally dehydrated. No matter how much water you drank the day before, you have used up your stores and it’s time to refill the tank.
The first thing drinking water after waking up will do is provide your cells with much needed, life-giving water.
Compare this to the norm; drinking a 16 oz. cup of coffee, which will further dehydrate your already thirsty body.
Partaking in this immediate rehydration will have major noticeable benefits including:
– Feeling more refreshed
– Having more natural energy throughout the morning
– Being healthier & happier
#2 Flushes out toxins
After nourishing your cells, drinking water after waking up will flush unwanted toxins out of your body.
While you sleep your body repairs itself, replenishes energy and balances hormones. The result is toxins and other waste materials being released and waiting to be flushed out.
After clearing your body of these toxins, you will feel great and be able to absorb more nutrients from a well-balanced breakfast.
This also leads to clear skin and better overall well being.
#3 Fires up your metabolism
Drinking water is a crucial tactic when it comes to weight loss. But drinking water after waking up is the most optimal way to do it.
Think of drinking water after waking up as an alarm clock for your metabolism. This morning water kick starts your metabolism & has been proven to increase your calorie burning potential throughout the day.
Not only that, but water actually fills you up & curbs your appetite, allowing you to make smarter choices for your breakfast.
These smart choices tend to roll over to smarter choices throughout the day. If you know anything about healthy eating, then you know that this momentum is so powerful. There’s no better way to start that momentum than with a tall glass of delicious water.
#4 Fuels your brain
Here’s a fun fact; your brain is 75% water.
If you’ve been drinking enough of it, you will know that without water your brain is not going to operational
A morning glass of water will leave you feeling sharp and clear throughout the day, giving you an edge over all the dehydrated zombies you’ll encounter.
#5 Keeps you regular & relieves constipation
The main cause of constipation is dehydration.
Drinking water when you wake up will not only cure dehydration but it will help relieve constipation, help to keep you regular and promote a morning bowel movement. This is a great way to start the day.
#6 Prevents and cures disease
As stated above, in Japan it is believed that drinking water this way can cure even the harshest diseases over time. I am not a scientist, or a doctor, but what I do know is that doing this will certainly help cure disease and can certainly help prevent them, even if the effects are subtle.
Something that is so healthy and good for you, if not performing miracles, is going to have a positive impact on your health.
One of my biggest beliefs is to control what you can, and don’t worry about the rest. Something like drinking a glass of water when you wake up is certainly under your control, so why not do it.
#7 Its completely refreshing
Last, but certainly not least, the 7th reason you should partake in the practice of drinking water after waking up is because of how good and refreshed it will make you feel. There really is nothing more refreshing than waking up, dry mouthed, and enjoying life’s purest substance.
It revitalizes me, and I feel crisp and clean afterwards.
That, a nice run, a hot shower & juice from my starts me off feeling so refreshed for the day. I really can’t recommend it enough.
So how much water should I drink?
If this sounds like something you are into that great. But how much water should you drink to reap the benefits?
The amount varies around the web. In the Japanese healing protocol it is noted that you should drink 4 160mL glasses of water upon waking. This translates to 20 oz. of water. To give you a good idea, that’s 1/3rd of a 2 liter coke, or 2.5 cups of water.
This is a pretty decent amount of water, so start small if you want. Right now I slug down two tall glasses from m when I wake up. I’ve got it chilling right next to my bed at room temperature.
“Zero water,” is from the inexpensive that provides cleaner than bottled water at 000 PPM (parts per million) on the TDS meter. My tap water was at 348 PPM and Poland spring is at 58 PPM.
This definitely helps me, and I do recommend the filter, it has been a great purchase and save me a lot of money on bottled water.
But regardless, any amount of water, whether filtered or not, is better than none.
Warm or cold?
Sorry to say this, but warm. Preferably body temperature! I know this is not always feasible to drink two 98 degree glasses of water when you wake up so opt for room temperature.
Cold water needs to be heated up to core temp by the body, expending energy. Warm water allows your body to maintain homeostasis, optimally flushing out toxins and replenishing the cells. A good way to think of but maybe a little less extreme.
All this being said, don’t read too much into it. I often drink cold water waking up and it is not going to be a deal breaker!
Can I eat right away?
You should wait at least 15 minutes after drinking your water to eat. The optimal length in Japanese culture is to wait 45 minutes until eating. The “exact protocol” of the Japanese water cure is as followed:
1) As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth (don’t read into this), drink 4 × 160mL glasses of water
2) Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minutes
3) After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.
4) After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours – i.e. you can drink straight after a meal (within the first 15 minutes) but not for 2 hours after that.
5) Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day.
And even if you don’t believe in water being able to cure disease, you cannot deny the fact that this will have a positive effect on your health and life.
So control what you can, and think about adding two glasses of water to you. It may be the best decision you ever made..
