My kick-start to the day: glass of water with salt

A glass in the morning Water with salt? Doesn't sound so great at first, but just give it a try - your body will thank you when you get up!

Possible benefits of salt water in the morning

☀ Support electrolyte balance

• The body can become slightly dehydrated after sleep, especially if you sweat a lot at night.
• A glass of water with a small amount natural salt can provide sodium, potassium and magnesium and help to balance fluid levels.

☀ Stimulate digestion

• Salt can promote the production of stomach acid (HCl) and thus aid digestion.
• Some people report smoother bowel movements, as salt water can have a mild laxative effect.

☀ Better hydration

• A touch of salt can help water to be better absorbed in the cells.
• This is particularly relevant after sport or in hot climates.

Possible disadvantages and risks

⚠ Risk of high blood pressure

• Who is too High blood pressure tends toshould be careful, as sodium can increase blood pressure.
• People with salt-sensitive hypertension in particular should avoid additional salt.

⚠ Too much salt puts a strain on the kidneys

• The body must excrete excess salt via the kidneys. Who already have kidney failure should not add any extra salt.

⚠ Stomach irritation possible

• Too much salt on an empty stomach can lead to Nausea or stomach pain lead.

How do you do it right?

If you want to try it out:
✅ Dosage: 1 pinch of salt (1-2 g) to a large glass (250-300 ml) of water
✅ Best with untreated salt (e.g. sea salt or Alpine salt, not iodised table salt) - I currently use the fine crystal salt from Pakistan by KoRo
✅ Not too much salt! 5 g or more on an empty stomach can be unpleasant. Personally, I wouldn't be able to get that down either - so it's unlikely that you'll get too much.
✅ If you have high blood pressure or kidney problems, talk to your doctor first.

Conclusion: Recommendable or not?

• For healthy people: A glass of lukewarm water with a pinch of salt can help with hydration if you feel comfortable.
• Not absolutely necessary: Most people get enough sodium from their normal diet - but I feel I get through the day much better.
• Alternative: Before you skip the salty kick altogether, we recommend at least drinking a glass of water straight after getting up.

References: Cover picture by freepik