Taking a bath daily is what most people consider a healthy practice. Of course, there are also those who shower more than once per day, but there are also those who tend to skip a day or two.

However, while taking a bath feels like a simple daily task, it can have some health consequences on the elderly.

When people reach a certain age, usually 70 and above, their bodily functions tend to slow down. It is also the age when the body becomes more vulnerable to changes in temperature and circulation, so taking baths first thing in the morning can put stress on the liver and increase the risk of liver-related conditions. While the act of showering isn’t harmful on its own, the timing can be.

Here are some liver-related risks seniors should know about if they often bathe in the morning.

1. Reduced Blood Flow to the Liver

As we get older, the body doesn’t adapt to sudden changes the way it once did. What the elderly should have in mind is that circulation slows, blood pressure becomes more sensitive, and internal organs rely on a narrower margin of balance. That’s why something as simple as a very hot bath, especially early in the morning, can have a stronger effect on older adults than they might expect.

When you step into hot water, blood vessels near the skin widen quickly. This pulls blood toward the surface of the body and away from deeper organs. According to experts at Harvard Medical School, heat exposure causes blood vessels to dilate and temporarily alters how blood is distributed throughout the body. While this response can feel relaxing, it also lowers blood pressure and reduces circulation to internal organs for a short time.

For younger, healthy people, the body usually compensates without issue. In older adults, especially first thing in the morning when blood pressure is already lower, this adjustment can be slower and less efficient. Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic note that hot baths can significantly lower blood pressure, which may lead to lightheadedness, weakness, or reduced organ perfusion in seniors.

The liver may be particularly affected. Research published in the Journal of Hepatology found that exposure to hot water reduced portal blood flow, the circulation that supplies the liver. In people with liver conditions such as fatty liver disease, hepatitis, or early cirrhosis, this temporary reduction may increase liver strain and slow detoxification processes.

None of this means older adults need to avoid bathing altogether. The issue is temperature and timing. Very hot water early in the day places extra demands on circulation when the body is least prepared to adapt. Warm baths later in the day are generally better tolerated and less disruptive to blood flow.

2. Higher Risk of Fatty Liver Worsening

Hot baths first thing in the morning may feel refreshing, but for older adults they can place stress on the body. Exposure to very warm water causes blood vessels to widen quickly, which can lead to a sudden drop in blood pressure. In people over the age of 70, the body is often slower to compensate for these rapid shifts, increasing the risk of dizziness, weakness, or reduced blood flow to vital organs.

This effect can be more pronounced in individuals with metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes. Diabetes already affects blood vessel health and circulation, and adding an abrupt temperature change early in the day can further strain the system. For some, this extra stress may worsen existing liver conditions, particularly fatty liver disease.

Fatty liver disease develops when excess fat builds up in liver cells, often linked to insulin resistance and metabolic imbalance. While it may start without obvious symptoms, ongoing stress on the liver can accelerate progression. Over time, untreated fatty liver disease can lead to inflammation, scarring of liver tissue known as fibrosis, and eventually reduced liver function. This can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar, process medications, and remove toxins.

For older adults, especially those managing diabetes or liver conditions, it may be safer to avoid very hot baths in the morning. Choosing warm water instead, bathing later in the day, and allowing the body time to fully wake up can help reduce unnecessary strain and support overall metabolic and liver health.

3. Hepatitis Reactivation Triggers

There are cases of older adults who live with inactive hepatitis B or C without even being aware of it. So, sudden exposure to very hot or very cold water in the morning can act as a physical stressor that can challenge their immune system. In rare cases, this stress may disrupt the body’s balance and trigger viral activity. When that happens, it can cause liver inflammation and worsen any existing liver conditions. While this is an uncommon outcome, it does serve as a reminder to avoid extremes.

4. Strain on a Cirrhotic Liver

Bathing for older adults with cirrhosis is among those tasks that can prove particularly daunting. Cirrhosis also decreases the liver’s ability to cleanse the body of toxins, reduces albumin levels, and interferes with blood clotting. An abrupt hot bath, especially before getting up in the morning, can overburden the circulatory system. The blood rushes to the skin in large volumes, temporarily diminishing circulation to the internal organs, ovaries and uterus, and the liver.

This transition can bring about swelling and fatigue and make you feel sluggish before the day has even started. Over time, strain on an already compromised liver could potentially lead to severe complications, such as hepatic encephalopathy, where toxins build up and impair brain function.

For elderly cirrhotic patients, using a thermostat to bring the temperature up to a moderate warmth and bathing later in the day may do the liver no harm. It allows the patient to attend to daily hygiene without overextending herself, reducing unnecessary discomfort and supporting a more comfortable posture.

5. Increased Risk of Gallbladder and Bile Flow Problems

The liver and gallbladder work closely together to produce, store, and release bile, which is essential for digesting fats and removing certain toxins from the body. In older adults, this delicate system can become more sensitive to sudden stress, including rapid changes in temperature. Taking a very hot or very cold bath early in the morning can temporarily disrupt blood flow and circulation, which may interfere with how these organs function.

For people prone to gallstones or bile duct issues, this can be particularly problematic. Sudden temperature changes may cause the gallbladder to contract or the bile ducts to react in ways that worsen discomfort or trigger a flare-up. Over time, repeated stress could increase the risk of complications, such as inflammation or pain associated with gallstones, and may make existing bile duct problems harder to manage.

Elderly individuals or those with known liver or gallbladder conditions should be cautious with extreme-temperature baths, especially early in the day. Opting for a gently warm bath, rather than very hot or cold water, and bathing later in the morning or afternoon allows the body to adjust more gradually. This simple adjustment helps support healthy bile flow while maintaining comfort and reducing unnecessary strain on the liver and gallbladder.

6. Dehydration and Toxin Accumulation

A number of seniors begin the day already mildly dehydrated because water is lost from the body overnight due to breathing and sweating along with normal metabolic activities. Soaking in a hot tub first thing in the day can exacerbate the dehydration, as heat induces further fluid loss through perspiration and directs blood flow away from the muscles to the surface of the skin. Older people can feel the impact of mild dehydration as well—tiredness, dizziness, and slower circulation are just a few symptoms.

Hydration is especially important for the liver, which depends on adequate blood flow to perform its detoxification duties effectively. The liver may also receive added strain when the body is dehydrated, as dehydration reduces blood flow to the body’s internal organs. When you combine dehydration with the abrupt circulatory shifts caused by a hot bath, it can magnify these effects, reduce liver efficiency, and make you feel heavy, fatigued, or sluggish first thing in the morning.

For this reason, experts advise that seniors hydrate before bathing by drinking a glass of water as soon as they wake up. Waiting a few minutes after rising for the body to ‘wake up’ before entering the bath and selecting a warm rather than scalding temperature may also help ease the strain on circulation. Small changes like these can make a real difference—helping the liver work its best, fueling overall energy, and making daily hygiene safer and more comfortable for aging adults.

Conclusion

If you are 70 or above wait at least an hour after waking up to take a bath. Further, bath with lukewarm water, make sure you stay hydrated, and limit bath time to 10-15 minutes at maximum.