Some people suffer from leg cramps while sleeping at night. This may be due to dehydration, as the body gives such signals when the intake of water is less. People who experience this make it a routine to drink a good amount of water before sleeping. This serves many purposes: it does not allow the throat to get dry while sleeping, maintains the normal flow of fluids in the body, and keeps physiological functions running smoothly.
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However, nutritionists state that drinking too much water right before sleep has both benefits and disadvantages.
Benefits of drinking water before bed:
It reduces the risks of dehydration during sleep at night.
This helps maintain the normal fluctuations in body temperature.
Adequate water intake at night helps naturally withdraw toxins gathered in the body.
Research in PLOS One concludes that even mild dehydration negatively impacts mental and cognitive performance.
If someone drinks excessively the previous day, proper water intake before bed can help reduce hangover symptoms the next morning.
Possible problems from drinking water right before bed:
Drinking too much water can lead to frequent urination throughout the night, disrupting continuous sleep and interfering with the body's normal sleep cycle.
Excessive intake of water can lead to overhydration, which may cause an imbalance in the level of necessary electrolytes and interfere with physiological functions.
Too much water intake can modify the sodium levels in the blood. Changes in the sodium levels become risky for a person with uncontrolled blood pressure.
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When should water be consumed and how much for maximum benefit?
Doctors advise drinking water at least two hours prior to sleeping. In fact, drinking water right before sleep is problematic. If a person has not had much water throughout the day, their body will take all the water drunk at one time, creating stress on the kidneys. It is, thus, preferable to acquire the habit of drinking water gradually throughout the day.
