Many people have the habit of drinking a glass of water on an empty stomach after waking up in the morning. What kind of water do everyone drink? Why should we drink water?

In the interview with reporters, there are quite a few people who have the habit of drinking water on an empty stomach in the morning. Most people choose to drink plain water, mainly for the purpose of clearing the intestines, promoting bowel movements or replenishing water. However, there are rumors online that drinking salt water on an empty stomach in the morning is more effective in clearing the intestines.

It is rumored that the concentration of salt water should ensure a salty taste. At this time, the intestines will treat it as blood flowing and will not absorb the water consumed, so that there is enough water to flush the intestines and be excreted by the large intestine. Some netizens support this statement, while others feel it is not very useful.

Is drinking salt water on an empty stomach more beneficial for bowel movements? For this purpose, the reporter interviewed Zong Ye, Deputy Director of the Department of Gastroenterology at Beijing Friendship Hospital.

Zong Ye, Deputy Director of the Gastroenterology Department at Beijing Friendship Hospital:In theory, because saltwater contains sodium ions, its osmotic pressure may be slightly higher. Consuming hypertonic fluids can indeed have a laxative effect.

In theory, saline solution as a hypertonic solution can indeed have a laxative effect. So, is the online statement true? Does drinking diluted salt water really have a better laxative effect?

Zong Ye:But if we simply use salt as the electrolyte and rely solely on saline solution for defecation, then the concentration of saline solution needs to be particularly high to reach a certain osmotic pressure and have the effect of defecation. In fact, diluted saline solution cannot achieve this effect.

That is to say, theoretically speaking,To achieve better laxative effects through drinking saltwater, the saltwater must be thick enough, and diluted saltwater obviously cannot meet this standard.At the same time, experts also tell us that even so, there is still a gap between theory and reality.

Zong Ye:When we consume a sufficient concentration of salt water, we will feel particularly salty and may involuntarily consume more water, which actually dilutes the laxative effect of salt water itself. In fact, the effect of taking salt water to relieve constipation is not much different from that of plain water.

It seems that from the perspective of Western medicine, the claim that drinking diluted salt water is more beneficial for bowel movements does not hold water. So, how does traditional Chinese medicine view this issue?

Qin Lina, Director of the Rehabilitation Department of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine:A glass of water in the morning is very important,Compared to drinking plain salt water and warm water on an empty stomach, plain salt water is not more conducive to defecation, while warm water is better.Drinking diluted salt water in the morning is generally not recommended in medicine. If the concentration of salt is not well controlled, you will become increasingly thirsty as you drink, which will take away your body's water and lead to dry mouth and dehydration.

It seems that neither Western nor traditional Chinese medicine believes that drinking diluted salt water is more beneficial for bowel movements than warm boiled water. In addition, experts also tell us that drinking salt water on an empty stomach may trigger other symptoms that are harmful to health.

Qin Lina:In the morning, the blood is already highly permeable, and blood pressure is the highest in the day. Adding some sodium ions at this time, especially for patients with hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, can lead to even higher blood pressure.

It seems that this diluted salt water should not be consumed indiscriminately. Improper consumption may not only be harmful but also pose a risk to health.Except for those who have received special needs advice from doctors, it is generally recommended to drink warm water on an empty stomach in the morning.

Qin Lina:Drinking warm water on an empty stomach in the morning is definitely beneficial to our body, but how can we truly achieve the goal of promoting bowel movements by drinking water? Firstly, the temperature of this water is between 35 degrees Celsius and 40 degrees Celsius, which is warm water close to our body temperature. The second point is that we need to drink at least 300 milliliters. The third point is that rapid swallowing with a big mouth is necessary to promote bowel movements.

It seems that in order to achieve a more effective effect of moistening the intestines and promoting bowel movements, one should not only drink a glass of water in the morning, but also drink it more scientifically and healthily.

More news

How to drink the right cup of water in the morning is also a great knowledge. Below, we will tell you which water to drink in the morning and which not to drink~

*A glass of water is drinkable

plain boiled water

Warm boiled water is a beverage that does not contain calories and can be directly absorbed and utilized by the human body.

honey water

Drinking a cup of honey water on an empty stomach in the morning can not only replenish water, but also increase nutrition. For the elderly and constipated, it can also promote bowel movements.

lemonade

Drinking a glass of lemon water on an empty stomach every morning has a good effect on constipation caused by physical weakness, and can also help with digestion and whitening. But remember to rinse your mouth after drinking, otherwise it will harm your teeth.

*Glass of water is not allowed to be consumed

fruit and vegetable juice

Many people like to wake up in the morning and drink fruit and vegetable juice, believing that it can directly absorb nutrients and clean up waste in the body. In fact, this is a misconception. Choosing warm food when waking up early in the morning and letting the stomach and intestines work while lacking water is not conducive to physical health.

Cola and other beverages

Most carbonated beverages such as soda and cola contain citric acid, which accelerates the excretion of calcium in metabolism and reduces the calcium content in the blood. Drinking them can lead to calcium deficiency and nutritional imbalance.

milk

Many people like to drink milk. Morning milk cannot be used as a cup, so the function of the stomach and intestines is still in a dormant state, which cannot fully utilize the nutritional value of protein. In addition, some people may experience symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea when drinking milk on an empty stomach.