Drinking enough water is essential for our survival. But can drinking a lot of water help you lose weight?
You’ve probably heard a lot about the additional benefits of drinking water, including that it may help flush toxins from the body. There are also a lot of studies that show if you drink more water, you might be able to drop a few pounds.
While this may be true, you shouldn’t rely on increasing your water intake alone to meet your weight loss goals. Read on to learn how water can support weight loss.
Staying Hydrated While On A Diet: Can You Bust Fat And Lose Weight By Drinking More Water?
Research indicates that drinking water could have an effect on your metabolism, potentially helping you burn calories.1
Studies show that within about 10 minutes of water consumption, your metabolic rate speeds up.
If you drink water regularly, starting on a water regimen could help you lose up to 30 percent more calories than if you don’t.2
One study looked at overweight women who increased their daily water intake by about 34 ounces (one liter) per day for one year.
According to the results, the women lost an average of 4.4 pounds. Participants made no other changes to their lifestyle. They simply drank more water.
Water And Weight: Does Drinking A Lot Of Water Help Curb Your Appetite?
You may already know that fiber in many of the fruits and vegetables in your diet can help you feel full. As a result, you won’t be as likely to overeat during a meal.3
It appears drinking plenty of water could have a similar effect.
Studies show that middle-aged and older people have a better chance of losing weight by drinking a substantial amount of water before each meal they eat. In one study, obese participants lost 44 percent more weight than those who didn’t drink water before each meal.4
Avoid Extra Calories In Drinks Like Soda, Juice, And Other Sweet Beverages
It can be really hard to start drinking water if you’re used to sugary drinks or sweetened beverages that are loaded with caffeine.
But sodas aren’t a healthy part of any diet.
Drinking water instead of soda reduces your intake of calories dramatically.
Of course, you still need to follow a low-calorie diet, exercise, and avoid alcohol to be at your healthiest. But substituting water for sugary drinks could help reduce your calorie intake by nearly 10 percent and improve your overall health.5
Daily Water Intake: Are You Drinking Enough Water Every Day?
Whether you’re trying to lose weight or not, increasing your daily water intake will help you stay hydrated. Proper hydration is important, because if you don’t drink enough water, you’ll run the risk of developing a lot of health issues. Even mild dehydration can lead to problems.6
But how much water should you drink each day?
There is no set answer that applies to everyone. The amount of water you need, whether for staying hydrated or avoiding some extra calories can depend.7
If, for instance, you’re very active, you will probably need more water than those who lead a mainly sedentary lifestyle. This is because you are likely losing more water due to sweat and activity.
If you’re an older person, you’ll have to pay closer attention to your water intake than most other people.8
Talk to your doctor about how much water you should be consuming to optimize your health. They can also answer any questions you may have about the impact drinking water may have on weight loss.
Seek Medical Advice To Help Answer Key Questions
What kind of water is best for losing weight? Should you drink distilled water, bottled water, or will plain tap water do the trick?
If you do lose weight by drinking water, what do you need to do to keep it off? Will you run the risk of developing water retention if you drink too many liters of water a day?
What if you drank a glass of water 10 times a day? Would that be healthy?
Your doctor will be the best source for answers to these and any other questions you may have about increasing your water intake. Never make any changes to your diet, or make drastic changes in how much water you drink, without first talking to a medical professional.
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9 Easy Solutions to Get Rid of Constipation
Sources
1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18787524
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14671205
3 https://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/021115p14.shtml
4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19661958
5 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20796216
6 https://www.emedicinehealth.com/dehydration_in_adults/article_em.htm
7 https://www.physiology.org/doi/pdf/10.1152/ajpregu.00365.2002
8 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9039003