At the first rays of dawn gently spill into the bedroom, the day slowly begins. This moment is considered by many to be a new beginning and full of hope. However, at this seemingly peaceful and wonderful beginning, some of our daily wake-up habits may actually be quietly taking a toll on our health. In particular, the health of the liver, which is responsible for cleaning up toxins in the body and maintaining life activities, is directly related to our quality of life.
Unfortunately, certain morning habits that may seem harmless or even considered healthy can actually be taxing and even damaging to the liver. For example, drinking plenty of cold water on an empty stomach, an unbalanced breakfast choice, or excessive morning exercise can put unnecessary stress on our liver. It is worth noting that the liver serves as the "chemical factory" of the human body, and its health status determines the efficiency and health of other systems in the body.
After waking up in the morning, the human body is slightly dehydrated after a night of metabolism. Moderate hydration is important at this point, but drinking plenty of cold water or drinking too much water on an empty stomach can put an extra burden on the liver. Ideally, the liver regulates the concentration of substances in the blood, handling the detoxification process. Drinking large amounts of water, especially cold water, suddenly, can cause the liver to adjust rapidly, affecting its normal function.
Suggestions for improvement: Warm water should be used in the morning to slowly replenish body fluids to avoid excess. This helps to gently wake up the digestive system, including the liver, rather than a sudden shock.
Breakfast is the first meal to kick-start your body's functions and is essential for the healthy functioning of the liver. A nutritious and unbalanced breakfast, such as foods high in sugar and fat, can force the liver to work overtime to process excess sugar and fat, which in the long run may lead to liver dysfunction and increase the risk of liver fat accumulation.
Suggestion: Balance your breakfast nutrition, including the right amount of protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. For example, whole-grain bread, low-fat milk, eggs, and fresh fruit can provide a steady source of energy** for the liver, reducing its burden.
Morning exercise has a non-negligible effect on promoting physical health and enhancing cardiopulmonary function。However, high-intensity exercise on an empty stomach can deplete the liver's glycogen stores, causing blood sugar to drop, forcing the liver to overwork to maintain blood sugar balance without adequate energy support, which can cause damage to the liver in the long run.
Suggestions for improvement: Before morning exercise, you can consume a small amount of easy-to-digest carbohydrates, such as bananas or whole-wheat bread, to provide the body with energy that is about to be used and reduce the burden on the liver.
Many people have the habit of taking drugs early in the morning, but taking certain drugs on an empty stomach may directly affect the liver and increase its metabolic burden。Medications, in particular, that require liver metabolism may increase the risk of liver damage.
Advice for improvement: Before taking any medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist to know the best time and how to take the medication. For those medications that may affect the liver, try to avoid taking them on an empty stomach or adjust the time of taking them under the guidance of your doctor.