You probably have a tall glass of water on your nightstand, like many of us do, ready to quench your thirst in the morning.
But what are the pros and cons of drinking water right before you go to sleep? There are many reasons why it’s important to drink water throughout the day, and there are also ways to do it at the right time.
Jessica Vensel Rundo, MD, MS, an expert on sleep disorders, tells you why you should watch how much water you drink before bed.
Dr Vensel Rundo says that in general, you shouldn’t drink a lot of water before bed, but a small amount is fine.
When should you quit drinking water?
People often say that you shouldn’t drink water two hours before bed. This way, you won’t give your body too much water, which could make you have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
Even if you need a little bit of water before bed, whether it’s because your mouth is dry or you need to take your nightly medications, it’s fine.
“As a general rule, if you have to, don’t drink more than a glass of water in the two hours before bedtime. And drink small sips,” advises Dr Vensel Rundo.
This is also true for other late-night drinks. Try to stay away from drinks like alcohol, juice, and tea in the two hours before you go to sleep.
Why shouldn’t you drink water right before you go to sleep?
It’s important to stay hydrated, but it’s just as important to get a good night’s sleep. There will be times when you need to go to the bathroom at 2 a.m. But if you often wake up in the middle of the night, it might be time to change what you do at night.
Dr Vensel Rundo says that it can start to wake you up and make it hard for you to fall back asleep.
If you are constantly woken up in the middle of the night, it can cause you to lose sleep and make your sleep worse.
“When you don’t get enough sleep, your immune system doesn’t work as well,” says Dr Vensel Rundo.
Even though getting up to use the bathroom once in a while won’t hurt your health, it’s important to know that getting up often can cause a number of problems. Sleep is important for everything, from our immune system to our mental health. There is a link between not getting enough sleep and:
- Loss of memory.
- Infections.
- Their blood pressure is too high.
- High levels of cholesterol.
- Gain weight.
- Cancer.
It’s also important to find out if you have any health problems that could be causing you to urinate a lot. If so, you may need to drink less water before bed even earlier. One study showed that people who have nocturia don’t need to drink water an hour before bed.
Is there any reason to drink water before going to bed?
Even in small amounts, drinking water at night can still be good for you. Water is an important nutrient because it keeps your body hydrated, lubricates your joints, breaks down waste, and does a lot more.
Dr Vensel Rundo says, “It just needs to be balanced, and you shouldn’t drink a lot of water right before bed.” “When you’re dry and thirsty, you don’t want to go to bed, but you also don’t want to drink a whole glass of water.”
Here are some benefits of staying hydrated before bed:
- Your body gets clean. Keeping yourself hydrated all day and night can help your body break down waste and get rid of toxins through sweat.
- Helps keep your body temperature just right. If you’re in a very hot place or feel very hot, drinking a little water before bed can help cool your body down. Before bed, try sucking on ice cubes or taking small sips of water.
So, you should drink water when?
We know for sure that you should drink water all day long. This doesn’t mean you should drink a lot of water all at once, especially not right before bed.
Instead, make sure you drink enough water throughout the day by:
- Have a glass of water with each meal.
- Keeping hydrated after working out.
- Fruits and vegetables can help you get more water.
Dr Vensel Rundo says that there isn’t necessarily the best time of the day to drink all of your fluids. “It’s more about keeping it up all day long and making sure you’re consistent.”
Talk to your doctor or nurse if you have to go to the bathroom a lot at night.