Caffeine in the morning acts as a fuel, recharging our batteries and propelling us forward. However, nutritionists recommend that we drink a glass of water before performing this ritual. The main reason for this is that both beverages are extremely acidic and can harm the body in more ways than you can imagine. Here's everything you need to know about why we should drink water before tea or coffee.
The first reason we should drink water before caffeine-containing beverages is that it hydrates the entire body. Many people believe that tea and coffee rejuvenate the body, but they actually dehydrate the body from the inside out. Drinking water in the morning also aids in flushing out toxins and diluting stomach acid levels. To keep your body healthy and functioning properly, it is always recommended that you drink at least two glasses of lukewarm water before having a cup of coffee or tea in the morning.
Mansi Gupta, a nutritionist based in Delhi, agrees and says, "After 6-8 hours of sleep, your body requires at least 500 ml of water before beginning your day. It cleanses your body of toxins and acids and rehydrates it. Because a cup of coffee or tea is already acidic, drinking water before tea or coffee helps to balance the pH. Tea and coffee may provide an energy boost, but drinking them on an empty stomach may cause indigestion/heartburn/acidity. Water also removes bacteria from your mouth and gut. Additionally, drinking water before coffee or tea rehydrates your cells, improving mood, energy levels, and alertness. It also promotes bowel movements, which aids in constipation relief."
Have you ever been chastised by your mother for brewing too much tea? Well, the elders probably know more than we do, because over-brewed tea can increase acidity in the body, which can lead to stomach ulcers. Drinking room temperature or lukewarm water helps dilute those acidic levels in the stomach, which can help prevent ulcers further.
Drinking room temperature water before a cup of coffee can help you avoid a caffeine crash. You may be wondering what this 'crash' is, which is a sensation that occurs in the body as a result of theobromine, a chemical found in coffee. This chemical begins to work in the body about 25 minutes after you drink your favourite brew and causes fatigue. Drink plenty of water before coffee if you want to be productive and avoid sleepiness.
Both drinks contain tannin, a chemical that causes tooth discoloration. This chemical forms a layer on your pearly whites when you drink your favourite hot beverage. But you probably didn't realise that drinking a glass of lukewarm or room temperature water could help your teeth. Experts agree that drinking water fifteen minutes before your first cup of coffee helps to produce a protective layer that reduces the possibility of staining.
Water is extremely beneficial to our overall health and ensures that our metabolism is firing on all cylinders. Coffee raises our cortisol levels, which helps us feel alert and awake, but also sometimes stressed and anxious. Because cortisol levels are highest in the morning, we can rely on our bodies to fuel us for the few minutes it takes to drink a couple of cups of water before hitting the coffee pot.
