Drinking Water Before Bed: Does It Help or Hinder Your Sleep?

We all know that hydration is key to a properly functioning body. But does it matter when you drink fluids — and should you limit your water intake before going to sleep? Here's what you need to know about drinking water before bed:

Drinking Water Before Bed: Pros vs. Cons

Your body constantly loses water through essential processes like breathing, sweating, and going to the bathroom, so it's important to replenish throughout the day. The average human needs between 11 and 16 cups of fluid per 24-hour period — the best time to drink that fluid varies from person to person. Here are some things to consider about drinking water before bed:

Disadvantages

There's one major disadvantage to drinking a ton of water right before bed: You'll have to get up and pee while you should be sleeping. Some people are naturally predisposed to a condition called nocturia, which is the increased need to urinate at night. Your body naturally releases hormones while you're sleeping that decrease urine production, but certain factors can hinder these hormones. Causes of nocturia include high fluid intake, sleep disorders, and bladder problems.

Ideally, most adults would have between six and eight hours of uninterrupted sleep per night — and getting up and down to go to the bathroom, obviously, isn't conducive to uninterrupted sleep.

Sleep deprivation can lead to a whole host of health issues, including (but not limited to) obesity, depression, and heart disease.

So what's the best way to stay properly hydrated and prevent nocturia? Drink water evenly throughout the day instead of loading right before bedtime.

Advantages

There are obvious serious benefits of staying adequately hydrated, such as improved mood and digestion, proper organ functioning, and maximized physical performance. Hydration is also extremely important to a healthy sleep-wake schedule: Symptoms of dehydration — such as headaches, dry mouth, and muscle pain — may make it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep.

While it's best to drink water consistently throughout the day instead of chugging a ton at night, you should definitely down a glass of water or two before bed if you've been drinking. Alcohol causes dehydration, so hydrating before falling asleep can help alleviate hangover symptoms the next day.

When Is the Best Time To Drink Water?

The best time to drink water is before you're thirsty. A glass or two when you wake up will rehydrate your body and get it ready to start the day, while sipping throughout the mid-morning and afternoon can help regulate hunger. If you're prone to nocturia, you may want to stop (or at least decrease) your fluid intake in the two hours before bedtime.

The Bottom Line

You should drink water consistently to maintain adequate hydration throughout the day. If you're prone to nocturia, limit your water intake in the two hours before you go to bed.

Related:

• Does Sparkling Water Hydrate You?
• How to Make Infused Water
• 10 Water-Rich Foods to Keep You Hydrated