Are There Benefits of Drinking Water Before You Sleep?

We all know that we’re supposed to drink eight glasses of water a day, but often we don’t get around to reaching that goal. If you’re like most people, you probably don’t even think about drinking water once you’ve hit the pillow for the night. However, research suggests that there may be benefits to drinking water before you sleep.

(1) Keeps You Hydrated Throughout The Night

Drinking warm water before bed will keep you hydrated through the night. As you sleep, your body loses water through things like respiration and sweating.

If you don’t drink enough water during the day, drinking a glass of water before bed will help to replenish the lost fluids.

(2) Gets Rid of Toxins

It also helps the body to rid itself of unwanted toxins. It may also help to relieve pain or cramping in the stomach.

One of the most basic ways to assist detox and enhance digestion is to drink water, especially hot or warm water.

(3) Improved Mood

Water deprivation, according to a 2014 studyTrusted Source, can have an adverse impact on your mood, which may alter the entire sleep-wake cycle.

People who typically drank a lot of water were less calm and didn’t feel as many positive emotions when they couldn’t drink as much as they usually did in the study.

Those who had a low water intake experienced an increase in good emotions, contentment, and serenity when they increased their water consumption.

(4) Other Benefits

Drinking water also aids in the prevention of migraines and promotes sweating to keep us cool. You’re more likely to sweat at night if you live in a hotter climate, which may lead to dehydration.

Water before bed can help you ward off dehydration and, as a result, help you get the drop in core body temperature that helps induce sleepiness.

Some Possible Downsides

Interrupted Sleep Cycle

Water consumption before bed might cause you to have to urinate more frequently. At night, your urine output goes down, allowing you to sleep for six to eight hours without interruption. Drinking a glass or two of water before going to bed can alter this cycle.

Sleep and the urinary cycle are also influenced by age. As you grow older, your bladder will become more sensitive, necessitating more trips to the bathroom at night than in your youth.

When Is The Best Time To Drink Water?

Water may be beneficial in a variety of circumstances. Water can help you relax before bed if hot water is part of your relaxing bedtime routine for some people. If you have a cold or a fever, drinking a glass of warm water might aid in symptom relief and allow you to get some rest.

Water before going to bed has several advantages, but drinking too close to bedtime may disrupt your sleep cycle.

You should drink enough water throughout the day to avoid dehydration and prevent nighttime water intake. Dark urine is one symptom of dehydration. If you’re getting enough fluids, your urine should be pale yellow to clear in colour if it’s not already obvious).

Some best practices include:

• drinking water before and after exercise
• eating more vegetables and fruits (as they contain water as well)
• drinking water after every meal
• owning a water dispenser will help you to encourage drinking water regularly

Bottom Line

There are several advantages to drinking water before going to sleep, but it can be inconvenient because it may cause you to wake up frequently at night to urinate. If you get very thirsty before bed, a little glass of water might help you get through the night.

However, the ideal is to keep your body hydrated throughout the day so that you that you do not have to squeeze in your water intake before bedtime.

Before bed, you might want to avoid excessively salty, sweet, or spicy meals to prevent becoming too thirsty. If you have symptoms of dehydration 16 such as thirst, a dry mouth or skin, or dark urine, you should drink more water.

Keep your bedroom at a reasonable temperature to prevent excessive sweating, and discuss any concerns you have about nighttime urination or water consumption with your doctor. They might be able to determine and treat an underlying problem.