Sleep Unplugged with Dr. Chris Winter

#174 - Hydration and Sleep: It's In The Water

Chris Winter, MD

We talk endlessly about caffeine, alcohol, and sleep—but what about plain old water? In this episode, we will:

  • Dive deep into the fascinating relationship between hydration and sleep quality
  • Explore how dehydration disrupts sleep architecture—raising heart rate, cortisol, and even airway resistance
  • Learn how hydration supports thermoregulation, helps maintain slow-wave sleep, and prevents the dry-mouth awakenings familiar to CPAP users and frequent flyers
  • Break down the latest research, from studies showing that short sleepers have higher urine osmolality
  • Find out strategies for timing and optimizing hydration for better nights

Produced by: Maeve Winter

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Thanks for listening and sleep well!

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