You might have heard this a thousand times already: drinking more water will help you lose more weight. When I was in my teens, I remember my elder sister drinking a lot of water. She carried a plastic bottle around the house and was constantly drinking water. I didn’t understand why she was so thirsty all the time. My mom explained to me that she was on a special diet to lose weight and if she drinks more than 4 litres of water a day, she would get skinny.
It sounded simple to me. But does water really aid in weight loss? Well, the answer is Yes. It does.
The Role of Water in Weight Loss
You may be wondering how water helps to lose weight? As always, it is best to check scientific evidence to find the answer to this question. In a 2014 study, 50 overweight females who drank water before meals experienced a reduction in body weight, body fat, and body mass index. They are also reported appetite suppression.
Researchers are still unsure why drinking more water helps a person to lose weight, but many studies show some positive correlation between increased water consumption and weight loss
- Drink Water Before Meals
Drinking water before eating takes up space in the stomach, leading to a feeling of fullness. When stomach feels it is full, your body sends a signal to your brain to stop eating, therefore, reducing the amount of food you’re eating.
A study by WebMD shows that drinking water before eating reducing average calorie consumption per meal by 75 calories. This means that by just drinking water before one single meal everyday can reduce your yearly calorie intake by 27000 calories. As a result, you lose approximately 8 pounds per year just by drinking water.
- Replace High-Calorie Drinks with Plain Water
It is quite easy to accumulate liquid calories by drinking sodas, colas, sweetened beverages like tea or coffee, and concentrated juices. Most people might not be aware of how many calories they are consuming by drinking these beverages.
The best way to lose weight is to ditch these sugary drinks and replace them with water. You may find it difficult to drink plain water as your tap water might taste different due to the presence of chlorine. A water filter removes chemicals and bad taste from water, and in the process, improving its taste.
You might also try drinking water with a slice of lemon. Pectin in lemon helps reduce food cravings and is a perfect drink to complement your weight loss diet. Try giving up those sugary drinks for a month and you’ll see the difference!
- Take Water Bottle to Gym
You can’t complete your weight loss journey without hitting a gym. When you exercise, you lose water which can dehydrate you. Water helps muscles, joints, and tissues to function properly. It also helps your lungs, heart, and other vital internal organs.
Being dehydrated can get in the way of a good workout and lead to muscle cramps and fatigue. Always drink water before, during, and after the workout. Keeping water close to you is essential, especially if you’re in hot or humid conditions. It is best to take a water bottle whenever you’re heading to a gym.
