Backed Up? Try Drinking Hot Water When You Wake

You Should Know: Water makes up about 60% of your entire body. Yet, most U.S. adults don’t consume enough water each day to keep systems running smoothly. About 20% of Americans do suffer from chronic constipation — and dehydration may be the culprit. Along with eating more fiber, drinking more water keeps your pipes clear. 

Going Deeper: The latest “Chinese longevity hack” circulating social media is all about water — hot water, that is. Proponents say drinking hot water first thing in the AM will trigger a bowel movement by relaxing the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract and “waking up” your digestive system after a period of rest. There’s very little evidence to back this up, but drinking more water, in general, is a good thing. 

Takeaway: Drinking hot water first thing in the morning might help digestion, and it might not. If it does, it could simply be that you’re more hydrated, not that the temperature or timing of the water matters so much. Experts generally agree, though, that we shouldn’t split hairs over water intake. 

Bottom Line: As one Cleveland Clinic writer put it: “If you prefer drinking hot water and it helps to keep you hydrated, drink up!”