OK, so we all know that we should probably all be drinking more water. Good old H2O is, definitively, the healthiest beverage out there—it truly is what our bodies crave! Did you know, though, that even if you do a great job of monitoring your intake throughout the day, you may just be missing out on an important part of the hydration puzzle?

In Japan, there is a common tradition to drink a good amount of water immediately after waking up in the morning. The thought is that the water will nourish your empty stomach, allowing room for better digestion in the long run. There is also an added benefit of weight loss because the consumption of water tricks the stomach into thinking that it’s full.

To try this form of hydration on your own, simply drink down some water before you eat or brush your teeth in the morning. Though some of the benefits of this method are considered to be still up for debate in the medical community, it’s hard to deny that we all couldn’t use more water in our diets.

Along with the obvious benefit of added hydration, there are many other pretty incredible advantages to following this practice. Here are just some of the differences that you may notice after you start drinking water first thing in the morning, or between eating meals.

1. Your sputtering metabolism may increase!

   According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, drinking water on an empty stomach can increase your metabolism by 30 percent. For optimal weight loss, experts say to focus on getting in at least 2 liters of water per day. If you follow the Japanese water therapy plan, then this is easy because half of your water intake will have been consumed in the morning hours.

2. Say goodbye to frustrating constipation

   Did you know that your constipation may be due in part to dehydration? Nutrition experts say that after just ten days on this water therapy plan, participants should see a noticeable change in their ability to go number two.

3. Boost your heart health

   Proper hydration and heart health go hand-in hand! In fact, consuming water aids in the body’s natural detoxification process, leading to an increase in the overall circulation of the blood. Because of this, your body doesn’t need to work as hard to get rid of the toxins. Starting your day off with plenty of water may ensure that this healthy process is properly completed.

4. Your skin will start to glow!

   Dr. Richard Besser of ABC News can’t say enough about how dehydration can affect the appearance of your skin. According to him, when a person is dehydrated, their blood thickens and their organs start to pull fluid from skin cells. This progression ends up sucking the moisture from the skin, which we all know causes wrinkles.

   Focusing on water intake at the start of your day may just help improve the overall appearance of your skin and give you the radiance you’ve always wanted.

5. Say Goodbye to Painful PMS!

   Though there are no detailed studies regarding this method for alleviating PMS, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence saying that upping water consumption before and during your period helps! Many women complain about the common symptoms of bloating, dizziness, and fatigue during that time of the month.

   Luckily, the best way to get rid of these is by reaching for a glass of water. Starting off with a good amount of H2O just may give you more energy at the onset, thus making you feel better throughout the day.

Though this method isn’t necessarily a good fit for everyone – check with your doctor first if you have diabetes, kidney problems or arthritis! – it’s important to remember that — whether you try out the plan or not — drinking water is an essential part of staying healthy, slim, and alert. Up that water intake and feel great!

What do you think about drinking water first thing in the morning? Are you a follower of it yourself? If so, have you seen any other results that weren’t listed? Tell us all about your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below!