Wake Up Bloated? Biohack Your Water for More Comfortable Mornings
The sun is peeking over the horizon. The alarm is ringing. It's morning, and once again, you feel the all too familiar tinge of abdominal discomfort, leading to the exhausting question, "why am I bloated in the morning?" Fret not. There is an answer to your digestive dilemma; it just takes a little further examination.
What are the Common Causes of Morning Bloating?
Morning bloat is confusing because the causes seem so limited — after all, you were just sleeping and haven't eaten anything. However, the digestive system is a complicated machine and doesn't always behave the way you'd expect. There are at least six common causes of bloating:
- Irregular eating habits1
- FODMAPs2
- Sitting3
- Fiber imbalance4
- Gut disorders5
- Dehydration
How Being Dehydrated Relates To Bloating
Out of the causes of bloating, dehydration is likely the one sticking out the most.6 It is easy to understand how drinking too much water can lead to belly bloat, but not drinking enough water? When you consider the staggering reliance the human body has on water, it’s simple to see how a lack of it can lead to problems.
- Your lungs are 83% water
- Your brain and heart are 73% water
- Your muscles and kidneys are 79% water
- Your skin is 64% water
- Your bones are 31% water
None of those percentages account for the water needed for digestion. You might think you drink enough fluid — unfortunately, soda, coffee, and an evening glass of wine do not count. When deprived of water, your GI tract becomes backed up, leading to constipation, gas, and bloating. Working on how to drink more water throughout the day is extremely beneficial.
Best Ways to Biohack Your Water to Reduce Morning Bloat
Biohacking sounds like something out of a sci-fi film, but this stranger-than-fiction term is not as out-of-this-world as it seems.7 Basically, a biohack is do-it-yourself biology; people making small changes to their diet and lifestyle to improve their health. Therefore, biohacking water is about changing your consumption habits to achieve greater hydration and benefits. There are several ways to hack your water.
Choose the Best Water Source & Filter
If recent history taught the country anything, it's that you might want to think twice before getting water from the tap.8 Water treatment often consists of adding chlorine and fluoride. Consuming both these chemicals can be harmful to your overall health. Luckily, they are very easy to avoid!
The solution to drinking from the tap is…don't. There are plenty of safe and reliable water sources:
- Natural spring water
- Distilled water
- Deionized water
- Mineral water
Finally, you can choose to filter your water. Many companies produce highly effective and affordable filtration solutions in pitcher and faucet attachment forms.
Store the Water Correctly
Glass water bottles are the best storage and transportation options. If you want to store your water for a long period, place it in an airtight container and keep it in a cool, dark place. When properly stored, you can store water for up to 12 months.
Add Nutrients & Supplements
Adding nutrients and supplements to your water is an excellent way to promote gut health. Polisorb is a digestive tract cleanse helping to remove harmful bacteria from the gut. Used periodically, Polisorb can reduce gas and bloating by removing toxins before they begin to cause discomfort.
The best part, it's flavorless! Other options include lemon juice, which speeds up your digestion, and salt, which contains tons of electrolytes. Yum!
Reduce Bloating for More Comfortable Mornings Shop The Clinically Proven Digestive Tract Cleanse
Drink Water at a Specific Temperature
Water temperature can affect the rehydration and absorption properties during consumption.9 Drinking water around 50 degrees Fahrenheit can help lower body temperature, and consuming it at 72 degrees Fahrenheit can aid in digestion.
Drink Water at Specific Times
Drinking water at specific times can affect eating habits and energy levels. Some of the best times to consume water are as follows:
- After waking up
- Before eating
- 30 minutes after eating
- Before, during, and after exercise
- Before bed
Learning how to reduce morning bloating has to do with more than water consumption, but it is an excellent place to start. By biohacking your water, you are helping to reduce the risk of dehydration and improve digestion. A win-win in our eyes!
References
1 https://www.self.com/story/what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-skip-meals
2 https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/fodmaps-101
3 https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/how-sitting-all-day-affects-the-body_uk_5930184de4b0540ffc84d81c
4 https://www.eatthis.com/dietary-fiber/
5 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321869
6 https://chicagohealthonline.com/not-drinking-enough-water-bloated-belly-and-sweet-cravings-can-result/
7 https://www.healthline.com/health/biohacking
8 https://apnews.com/article/us-news-health-michigan-rick-snyder-flint-7295d05da09d7d5b1184b0e349545897
9 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3762624/