Drinking Water Before Bed

Some people find that drinking a glass of water before bed helps them sleep, but for others, this habit may cause sleep issues. We explore the science behind hydration and sleep to help you decide what is best for you.

How Does Drinking Water Before Bed Impact Sleep?

Although our bodies are programmed to slow urine production Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source during sleep, excessive fluid intake may push you past this threshold and cause nighttime bathroom trips that interfere with sleep. You are more likely to wake up to urinate if you are already sleeping poorly, for example due to stress or a sleep disorder. Going short on sleep also seems to contribute to dehydration Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , indicating the two processes are intricately connected.

It is not uncommon to feel thirsty right before going to bed. In fact, a study in mice showed that the tendency to drink more in the evening might be a natural part of the sleep-wake cycle, in order to prevent becoming dehydrated overnight Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Although mild dehydration does not appear to directly impact sleep Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source for otherwise healthy people, staying hydrated supports systems in the body that do impact your sleep.

Benefits of Drinking Water Before Bed

Water is an essential nutrient Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. View Source for the human body, helping to remove waste, lubricate the joints, regulate body temperature, and cushion sensitive tissues. Although recommendations vary Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , the general consensus is that adults should drink between 2.5 and 4.5 liters of water Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source a day depending on their body weight and level of activity. This can be in the form of plain water, or it can come through fruit, herbal teas, or other fluids.

Drinking water also helps prevent headaches Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source and enables sweating Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source to keep us cool. If you live in a warmer climate, then you are more likely to sweat during the night, which can eventually result in dehydration. Drinking water before bed might help ward off dehydration Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source while you sleep, and it may also help you attain the drop in core body temperature Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source that helps induce sleepiness.

There are certain other cases when it may be helpful to drink water before bed. For some, hot water may form part of a relaxing bedtime routine. If you have a cold or a flu, a glass of hot water might help relieve symptoms Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source so you can get some rest. Breathing through your mouth causes you to lose more water than breathing through your nose Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , so people with nasal congestion might drink water to replenish the lost fluids.

“The optimal amount of water intake before bed varies among individuals, depending on factors such as age, gender, physical activity level, and overall health.”

Dr. Alberto Ramos

Professor of Clinical Neurology

Things to Consider About Drinking Water Before Bed

Despite the benefits of staying hydrated throughout the day, drinking water right before bed may cause sleep problems for some people.

Nocturia

Waking up in the middle of the night to urinate more than once is called nocturia Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Nocturia can disrupt the sleep cycle, and as a result it has been linked to reduced productivity, falls and accidents, and depression. Drinking too much water before bed contributes to nocturia, especially for people with certain conditions such as kidney disease or diabetes, or those who are taking diuretic medicines. In some cases, nocturia or frequent urination at night may be a symptom of sleep apnea.

You can reduce the chances of nocturia by:

• Reducing fluid intake in the evening
• Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks before sleep
• Asking your doctor if you can try taking your diuretic medications in the morning

Recording how much fluid you drink each night, including watery foods such as fruit, may help you identify connections between fluid intake and nighttime urination. If you still need nighttime bathroom visits after reducing the water you drink in the evening, talk to your doctor.

Bedwetting

As part of a multifaceted treatment plan, reducing fluid intake in the evening may help reduce episodes of bedwetting Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source . Whether or not you experience bedwetting, it is a good idea to empty the bladder one last time right before going to sleep. However, bedwetting is typically a problem that affects kids more than adults.

Bottom Line

While there are benefits to drinking water before bed, it can be disruptive to your sleep, as it can lead to frequent nighttime wakings to urinate. If you feel very thirsty before bed, you may want to drink a small glass of water to help you get through the night. However, the ideal is to stay hydrated throughout the day so you do not need to drink excessive amounts of water at bedtime.

You may want to consider avoiding excessively salty, sweet, or spicy foods before bed so you do not feel too thirsty. It is particularly important to drink more water if you notice symptoms of dehydration Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source such as thirst, dry mouth or skin, or dark urine.

Keep your bedroom at a comfortable temperature to prevent excessive sweating, and talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about nighttime urination or water intake. They may be able to identify and help you treat an underlying condition.