Does drinking more water help you lose weight?

Water makes up almost 60 percent of our bodies, contributing to our cells, body compartments, and different bodily fluids. Drinking an adequate amount of water is fundamental to keeping your body healthy. It is also responsible for flushing out body wastes and toxins and regulating body temperature. While our kidneys are good at managing the amount of water in our bodies, we are more sensitive to water deprivation and may not survive for long without water.

Water is an important component in the weight loss puzzle. Drinking water does not directly lead to weight loss. However, there is some scientific evidence supporting water as a tool for weight loss through certain mechanisms, linking them indirectly.

Here’s how water helps in weight loss! 

Drinking water may suppress your appetite naturally: According to studies, our brain often cannot make out the difference between hunger and thirst and often mistakes thirst for hunger. As a result, we end up eating when our body is not really hungry. If your body is low in water, drinking water will help in decreasing your appetite. It can send messages of fullness to the brain and promote a feeling of satiation. According to a small study published in Clinical Nutrition Research, drinking water before meals may help in naturally reducing the calorie intake and resultantly support weight management.

Drinking water may stimulate your metabolism: Drinking water, particularly chilled water, appears to stimulate the process of thermogenesis or heat production in the body. This stimulates the body’s metabolism and energy expenditure. While this may not create a substantial calorie deficit for weight loss, it may support weight management.

Drinking water may reduce your overall liquid calorie intake: Drinking a glass of water instead of consuming the higher calorie alternatives such as sodas, juices, or sweetened coffees and teas, can reduce the overall liquid calorie intake. Making water your drink of choice is the best way to keep yourself hydrated while keeping off the extra unwanted calories. 

Drinking water may help you exercise: Water dissolves electrolytes and distributes them throughout the body where their electrical energy triggers the muscle contractions required for movements. An imbalance of electrolytes may lead to cramping. Additionally, when your body is dehydrated, the cells tend to break down protein more quickly and build muscle slowly, making your workout sessions less effective. To get the most out of your workout sessions, staying hydrated is the key! 

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Drinking water may reduce stress and improve motivation: When we are dehydrated, we may experience symptoms of dizziness, confusion, and fatigue. Additionally, dehydration has been linked to reduced alertness, sleepiness, and increased production of cortisol, the stress hormone. All these symptoms can affect a person’s motivation to cook, eat healthy, exercise, and make healthier choices. Hence, drinking adequate water and staying hydrated is a definite way to stay motivated on your weight loss journey.

Health experts recommend drinking anywhere from 2-4 liters of water a day. It is a good idea to spread your water intake throughout the day for optimum hydration at all times.

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