Here's the translated text:

Here's the translated text: Thirsty in the Middle of the Night? Be Careful with Your Drinks for a Healthy NightSilence reigns supreme, the night is deep. Have you ever been troubled by sudden thirst in the middle of the night? A glass of cold water seems to quench your thirst temporarily, but have you ever considered that this seemingly ordinary act might harbor significant health risks? This article will use the story of an elderly man as a starting point to delve into the precautions for drinking water at night, revealing three types of water that are unsuitable for nighttime consumption, as well as how to cultivate healthy drinking habits to safeguard your health

Here's the translated text:

Thirsty in the Middle of the Night? Be Careful with Your Drinks for a Healthy Night

Silence reigns supreme, the night is deep. Have you ever been troubled by sudden thirst in the middle of the night? A glass of cold water seems to quench your thirst temporarily, but have you ever considered that this seemingly ordinary act might harbor significant health risks? This article will use the story of an elderly man as a starting point to delve into the precautions for drinking water at night, revealing three types of water that are unsuitable for nighttime consumption, as well as how to cultivate healthy drinking habits to safeguard your health.

I. Thirst in the Middle of the Night: Your Body Is Crying for Help

Mr. Wu, a 65-year-old man, lived alone in a peaceful village. Although he was considered healthy, he had a habit of feeling dry-mouthed every night before bed and would habitually drink a glass of cold water. His family repeatedly advised him, warning him that it was bad for his heart, but he always chuckled and disregarded their concerns.

One late summer evening, the weather was muggy and stifling. Mr. Wu, as usual, woke up in the middle of the night, feeling like his throat was scorched by fire. He stumbled in the dark to the table, grabbed his glass of cold water, and gulped it down. However, immediately after this seemingly routine action, his chest suddenly seized with intense pain, as if someone had struck him with a heavy hammer, leaving him writhing in agony.

Alone in the dead of night, Mr. Wu, despite his best efforts, couldn't even call out. It wasn't until the next day when a neighbor found him lying on the floor. Sadly, he had passed away from an acute myocardial infarction.

Mr. Wu's demise is heartbreaking and serves as a stark warning. Nighttime thirst, seemingly ordinary, may actually be a sign of underlying health issues.

II. Where Does Nighttime Thirst Come From?

So why do we experience thirst at night? This is closely related to the human body's physiological mechanisms.

1. "Relentless" Metabolism

From the moment we are born, our metabolism operates continuously, even during sleep. Cells function like production lines, constantly undergoing energy conversion, excreting waste products, and generating heat. In this process, water is silently lost through respiration, skin pores, etc.

Water is the source of life, participating in various physiological activities of the human body. It nourishes every cell, helps transport nutrients, eliminates waste products, and maintains the normal operation of the body. When the body detects insufficient water, the brain sends signals, causing us to feel "thirsty" and reminding us to replenish fluids.

2. Excessive Salt Intake

If you consume too much salt during dinner or eat too late, it can lead to an imbalance between salt and water in your body. Excess salt requires more water to dilute, prompting the body to signal you to drink more water.

3. Burden from Greasy and Spicy Foods

If your dinner consists mainly of greasy and spicy foods, digestion becomes more difficult, also requiring more water for assistance. Therefore, you are more likely to feel thirsty after dinner.

4. Age-Related Decline in Function

As we age, various bodily functions gradually decline, including the body's ability to regulate water. Elderly individuals are more prone to experiencing dry mouth.

5. Reduced Kidney Function

The kidneys are crucial excretory organs responsible for processing water and metabolic waste products. If kidney function declines, the ability to handle water decreases, leading to nighttime thirst.

6. Impact of Chronic Diseases

Chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease can also cause nighttime thirst.

It's important to note that occasional nighttime thirst is normal. However, if it occurs frequently and is difficult to endure, it may signal a crucial message from your body, warranting attention, particularly concerning issues related to cardiovascular health.

III. Three Types of Water to Avoid at Night

While you need to replenish fluids when thirsty at night, not all water is suitable for consumption. The following three types of water should be avoided as much as possible at night:

1. Cold and Iced Water

Nighttime is when the body's vital energy (Yang Qi) retracts and replenishes. Drinking excessively cold iced water at this time is like blowing cold air into a warm room, hindering the normal operation of Yang Qi and causing difficulty in recovery the following day.

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the body temperature is lower at night. Drinking cold or iced water will cause a sudden drop in body temperature, affecting blood circulation. This is particularly problematic for those with weaker heart and stomach function, making them more susceptible to discomfort.

Cold or iced water will stimulate the gastrointestinal tract, easily causing cramping or stomach pain. If you already have digestive issues, it will aggravate the condition. Furthermore, when exposed to cold, blood vessels constrict, which, for cardiovascular disease patients, is like a ticking time bomb, potentially triggering angina or even more serious cardiovascular events.

Therefore, when thirsty at night, opt for warm water. Use a thermos to keep your water warm, ensuring the body continues to function normally while promoting blood circulation and avoiding unnecessary burdens.

2. Coffee

Coffee and caffeinated beverages have detrimental effects on sleep and the heart.

Caffeine stimulates the brain, inhibiting the release of adenosine, a substance that induces fatigue and sleepiness. As a result, coffee consumption at night can lead to brain excitement, difficulty falling asleep, and disruption of normal sleep patterns.

Caffeine also accelerates the heartbeat, making it irregular. For individuals with weak heart function, nighttime should be a time for the heart to relax and rest. Drinking coffee will increase the burden on the heart, escalating the risk of arrhythmia.

To ensure good sleep quality and cardiovascular health, avoid coffee and caffeinated beverages at night. If you need a pick-me-up, consider brewing a cup of chrysanthemum tea or peppermint tea herbal teas that can both refresh and enhance alertness without affecting sleep or heart rate.

3. Carbonated Drinks

Carbonated beverages commonly available on the market contain high amounts of sugar, artificial additives, and carbon dioxide bubbles. Consuming carbonated drinks at night can have several adverse effects on the body.

Excess sugar can rapidly increase blood sugar levels, causing an increase in insulin secretion and affecting sleep. Long-term consumption of carbonated drinks can lead to metabolic disorders, increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes.

The bubbles in carbonated beverages release in the stomach, causing bloating, stomach pain, and discomfort. Additionally, bubbles can lead to gastric reflux, burning the esophagus, causing esophagitis, and, in severe cases, resulting in gastroesophageal reflux, leading to repeated burning sensations and discomfort.

Therefore, avoid carbonated drinks at night and choose healthy, sugar-free options like plain water or warm water.

IV. Cultivate Healthy Drinking Habits to Safeguard Life

Water is the source of life and crucial for human health. Adults need to consume approximately 1500-1700 ml of water daily to ensure the normal operation of various bodily functions.

In addition to adequate fluid intake, good drinking habits are equally important. Here are some healthy drinking suggestions:

1. Choose the Right Drinking Temperature

Although iced water can be refreshing in the summer, it's not suitable for nighttime consumption as it can irritate the stomach and cause abdominal discomfort. Excessive heat can also damage the esophagus and stomach. Therefore, room temperature water or warm water is the best drinking option at night.

2. Control Your Fluid Intake

Nighttime fluid intake should not be excessive, as it can lead to frequent urination, disrupting sleep and placing an extra burden on the kidneys. Unless extremely thirsty, try to minimize drinking before bed, ideally drinking small amounts multiple times between dinner and bedtime.

3. Pay Attention to Your Health Condition

Patients with heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, etc., need to be more cautious with nighttime drinking.

Heart disease patients should control their fluid intake to avoid increasing the heart's workload. Kidney disease patients need to adjust their fluid intake based on their individual situation to assist with detoxification and drainage. Diabetics should drink plenty of water to help control blood sugar levels. Hypertensive patients should try to minimize salty drinks to avoid high blood pressure.

V. Conclusion

Mr. Wu's death from a heart attack after drinking cold water while thirsty at night is a tragedy. His story serves as a stark reminder that nighttime drinking should not be taken lightly. We must choose suitable drinks, cultivate healthy drinking habits, and safeguard life.

Remember, when thirsty at night, choose warm water and avoid cold water, coffee, and carbonated beverages. Also, pay attention to your health condition and adjust your fluid intake and drinking time accordingly.

Healthy drinking habits are not only beneficial for physical health but also closely related to life safety, deserving our utmost attention!

References:

• 39 Health Network 2022-03-07 - "Suddenly Dry Mouth in the Middle of the Night? Don't Just Think It's Dehydration, It Could Be an 'Alert' from These 5 Diseases"

• Farmers Daily 2014-07-28 - "Don't Drink Cold Water When Thirsty in the Middle of the Night"

• Science and Technology China 2024-03-24