Perhaps for once young people can teach us something. They all seem to carry a bottle of water, even on the bus. Why?
I don’t really know why but reading Dr. Michael Mosley’s book Just One Thing, I’ve learned something about the benefit of water, especially if we drink it to a plan.
Dr. Mosley says we should drink a large glass of water 15 to 30 minutes before a meal to assist digestion and hydration. A bit of research has also identified that a glass of water will aid weight loss and help our bowel movements – which is good.
Here is how it works.
Digestion: Water primes your stomach lining and helps prepare digestive enzymes to break down your food efficiently.
Weight loss: Drinking water before a meal takes up space in your stomach; you eat less to feel full.
Hydration: You lose fluid through your breath while you are asleep. A glass of water when you wake will support your overall alertness and metabolic function.
Bowel movement: Morning fluids can stimulate the gastrocolic reflex, which promotes regular bowel movement.
Water can also positively impact exercise performance. Even a tiny 1 to 2% drop in hydration cuts your muscle strength and endurance, making workouts feel significantly harder.
Here is how to drink water when exercising.
Pre-workout (1-2 hours before): Drinking water ensures optimal blood volume. This allows your heart to pump blood easily, delivering oxygen and nutrients to your muscles.
During workout: Consistent sips regulate your core temperature and replace sweat losses. This sustains your stamina so you can train harder, directly maximising your total calorie burn.
Post-workout: Drinking water after you finish flushes out metabolic waste like lactic acid and repairs muscle tissue.
