KOMPAS.com – Water is an essential element for life, and the body needs water to function properly.
One growing trend says that drinking water in the morning can provide more benefits.
However, does the time of day you drink water really have an effect on how much benefit you can get?
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Water, an important nutrient for the body
About 60 percent of the human body consists of water. Water is categorized as an essential nutrient because the body cannot produce enough water through metabolism to meet daily needs.
Therefore, water intake from food and drink is very important to maintain optimal body function.
The role of water in the body:
- Nutrient Transport: Water helps blood circulation, which carries nutrients to cells and removes waste from them.
- Body Temperature Regulation: Water’s large heat capacity helps maintain a stable body temperature in both hot and cold environments.
- Body Lubrication: Water helps lubricate joints and is a major element in body fluids, such as saliva and gastric juices.
- Shock Absorption: Water protects organs and tissues by maintaining cell shape.
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The body loses water every day through sweat, breathing, urine and defecation. Lack of water intake can cause dehydration, which has a negative impact on health.
Popular claims about drinking water in the morning
Some people believe that drinking water in the morning has greater health benefits than at any other time. Here are some popular claims and what the science says about them:
1. Rehydrate the body after sleeping
Darker urine in the morning is often considered a sign of dehydration due to not drinking during sleep. However, urine color does not always indicate hydration level.
Research shows that although urine is more concentrated in the morning, the body’s hydration levels do not always change significantly.
Thirst, especially after waking up, is the body’s mechanism to ensure the body remains hydrated throughout the day. That’s because during sleep, no fluid intake comes in.
2. Reduce calorie intake
Drinking water can increase feelings of fullness and reduce calorie intake. Research shows that drinking water before meals, both in the morning and at other times, can reduce calorie intake, especially in older adults.
3. Lose weight
The thermogenic effect of water, namely the energy required to warm cold water in the digestive tract, can increase metabolism by 24-30 percent for about an hour. However, these effects are not limited to water drunk in the morning.
4. Improve mental performance
Mild dehydration (loss of 1-2 percent of body weight due to fluids) can affect concentration, memory and alertness. However, the benefits of rehydration are not limited to the morning.
5. Remove toxins and repair skin
The kidneys process and remove toxins according to the body’s needs, not based on a water drinking schedule.
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