The plan for a day lies in the morning, and starting the day with a drink of water is an important step to activate the vitality of life for a new day. The medical community widely agrees that drinking a cup of warm water upon waking can improve blood circulation and reduce blood viscosity. This is particularly beneficial for the elderly, as even without a sense of thirst, introducing a glass of water is very beneficial for the intestinal tract and the vascular system.
However, not all drinks are suitable as the first drink of the day. Please avoid these six types of drinks as your first choice in the morning:
Ice water: Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that the morning is the time when yang energy is just beginning to rise, equivalent to a flame that needs to gradually reach its peak by noon. Drinking ice water upon rising can harm yang energy and, over the long term, may lead to internal coldness, thereby triggering other diseases.
Over-night tea: Tea is a drink beneficial to the body and mind and should be savored slowly, brewed and consumed warm. Drinking tea quickly upon waking not only fails to rehydrate but also its diuretic effect may lead to a reduction in blood volume, damaging circulatory health.
Beverages: Whether it’s juice, carbonated soft drinks, or coffee, none are suitable as the first morning drink. Particularly beverages containing citric acid can contribute to the loss of calcium, potentially leading to calcium deficiency problems.
Milk: Upon waking, the digestive system is still in a dormant state and drinking milk at this time cannot fully absorb its nutrients. Moreover, many people may experience abdominal pain or diarrhea after drinking milk on an empty stomach.
Lightly salted water: Ancient medical practices include the theory of “morning saltwater drinking,” but modern research has found that doing this long-term may lead to excessive salt intake, increasing cardiovascular strain. Instead of drinking salt water, it may be more appropriate to consume a moderate amount of salty food at breakfast.
Honey water: Although honey water can aid intestinal movement and bowel movements, it can cause diarrhea for those who are not constipated and is also not suitable for people with diabetes or high uric acid levels.
So, how should one drink water in the morning?
- Temperature: Keep it at a temperature similar to body temperature, neither too hot nor too cold.
- Amount: Depending on individual constitution, digestive capacity, and seasonal changes, the amount to be consumed varies; the recommended amount for healthy individuals is typically 100-300 milliliters.
- Timing: It is best to drink water after cleaning the mouth to prevent bacteria from entering the digestive tract with the water.
- Speed: Sip slowly and ensure that after drinking, the body feels comfortable and the water doesn’t slosh around in the stomach during movement.
