Drinking salt water is one of the single most important parts of your daily routine. It’s probably the best thing you can do as soon as you wake up and get out of bed. I’m going to describe how drinking salt water first thing every morning has been benefiting me, my diet, and my daily activities.
It’s loaded with benefits other than improved hydration. It’s been proven to boost your immune system, help repair and keep skin hydrated, improve respiratory health, help with digestion, help soothe sore throats, eliminate food cravings (salt cravings), help eliminate sugar and carb cravings, and even have cognitive benefits that can improve the way your brain and body function in the long run.
Studies have shown that salt water can help alleviate headaches and migraines, which are often caused by dehydration. Mineral salts contain magnesium and potassium, which help replenish your body with these much-needed electrolytes. There’s nothing a glass of salt water can’t help you with. Lack of hydration is the primary cause of fatigue, headaches, and other adverse effects associated with dehydration.
When is the Best Time to Drink Salt Water?
The evidence, as well as personal experience, suggests that salt water is most beneficial and effective when consumed first thing in the morning upon waking. We wake up from hours of sleep dehydrated. Always hydrate before you caffeinate!
Try to hydrate with salt water one hour before drinking any coffee or eating any food in the morning. This is especially true when fasting. Salt water can help eliminate food cravings, allowing you to wait longer before eating. A significant benefit of starting your day hydrated is avoiding sleepiness or grogginess in the mornings, which leads to a clear head and plenty of energy to be productive and accomplish tasks.
Digestion and Nutrient Absorption
Sodium is also crucial for aiding digestion and nutrient absorption by stimulating the production of stomach acids, which are essential for breaking down vitamins, nutrients, and minerals. Drinking salt water first thing in the morning also helps by assisting in the absorption of vitamins.
It is also said that salt water can improve our bowel movements, thus helping eliminate bloating. New studies also show how sodium can support digestive health by promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and facilitating the easier digestion of food and vitamins.
Salt water is becoming the new super mineral that can help our minds and bodies overcome things that would typically affect us negatively. There is no limit to how many bodily functions can be improved or supported with proper amounts of sodium, minerals, and electrolytes. Even being exposed to sodium on the outside, such as seawater, is known to help soothe irritated skin and alleviate other skin issues, including psoriasis, eczema, and sun damage. Sodium is also known to be a natural antiseptic that can help reduce inflammation, soothe sore throats, and aid in eliminating mucus. This is especially important when you’re sick, have a sore throat, or are fighting a cold and/or allergies. There’s almost nothing salt can’t do.
Immune System and Cognitive Benefits
There are also numerous immune and cognitive benefits. Salt water is also known to increase the production of white blood cells. It is essential when fighting off sicknesses like bacteria and viruses. It is also beneficial for inflammation and injury recovery. This is very important if you’re trying to lower your blood sugar levels.
More salt equals less sugar! This has helped reduce my sugar and sweet cravings throughout the day. It helps boost my fasting until around noon and sometimes even until 2 pm after multiple workouts.
Our bodies use a significant amount of sodium during exercise, so we must hydrate with salt water before or after workouts to avoid relying on food for sodium. Instead, we can drink salt water and eliminate the need for food.
Don’t Overdo It
Just like anything in life, too much of anything can be detrimental. I don’t drink more than two glasses of salt water a day and usually follow it with a glass of regular water a few minutes later. I use about a teaspoon of mineral salt for a 12 oz glass in the mornings and another in the early afternoon if I start to get food cravings and need to continue fasting.
Stress and Sleep
Lastly, sodium is also known to help reduce stress levels and improve sleep quality. Sodium helps your body produce magnesium and L-theanine, which in turn also enables you to produce melatonin. Magnesium is another super mineral that can help with almost anything your body needs. Knowing that sodium helps boost the production of this mineral is enough to give it a try and see for yourself.
Final Thoughts
I’ve been drinking salt water for a little over three months now and can confidently say that it has improved my life and my very active lifestyle. I will continue to spread awareness and educate as many people as possible about sodium and its benefits. One of the best ways to do this is through my actions and results. My improved health, diet, immunity, digestive system, cognitive function, and recovery will be something anyone can notice and want to emulate.
Salt water intake is another way to help improve our health and quality of life, which is arguably the most important thing we can do. A wise man once said, “A healthy person has many dreams, but a sick person only has one.” Let’s make sure we do everything in our power to be the best we can be, firing at all cylinders and, in the process, helping others to achieve the same goals.
Pro Tip: Add a little lime or lemon to your salt water to make it more palatable.
