Last Updated on May 21, 2023 by Michael Brockbank
When it comes to losing weight, the Internet is full of tips, tricks, and hacks. But sometimes, the simplest and most effective methods have nothing fancy involved. So, is drinking water to lose weight possible?
Well, you won’t drop the pounds overnight by downing a gallon of water. However, there is a bit of science behind how getting enough water in your daily routine can benefit weight loss.
Not to mention the slew of other health benefits that come from drinking water.
Unless you live in Flint, Michigan, anyway.
X Ways Drinking More Water Helps Lose Weight
Drinking water is perhaps one of the cheapest and easiest ways to lose weight. And, it’s one of the most common overlooked methods that benefit your overall health.
Aside from the obvious benefits of staying hydrated, drinking more helps you slim down by:
Suppressing the Appetite, Temporarily
Many people will use water as an appetite suppressant. The idea is to trick your stomach into thinking it’s full, which prevents you from feeling hungry or snacky.
Essentially, you’re filling your stomach with something other than calories.
While this trick does work to help prevent overeating, it doesn’t last very long. That’s because it takes anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes to digest water.
At which point, you may have to drink a few more ounces if you’re feeling peckish.
Drinking Water Aids in Digestion
Another excellent reason to drink more water comes in the form of digestion. Water helps your body break down the food making nutrients easier to absorb.
It also helps soften the stool while keeping bowel movements more regulated.
And as bathroom breaks will become more frequent, your body has a chance to expel toxins and other unnecessary materials. Essentially, drinking more water can help you lose weight by keeping your plumping regulated.
Increasing Calorie Burn Within the Body*
So, I wanted to bring up this point with an asterisk. That’s because there is a great deal of conflicting evidence about the temperature of the water you drink.
The premise behind this is thermogenesis, or the amount of calories your body burns to metabolize the food. When you drink cold water, your body works to heat it up to roughly the same temperature as your insides for proper digestion.
Now here is the kicker, the number of calories you burn is really unknown. One study shows a significant increase while the other points to around 7 calories per glass.
While there’s no doubt that thermogenesis does burn calories, the actual number may be insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
Then again, constantly drinking water will keep your body metabolizing the liquid throughout the entire day. So, it may have more of an impact than what’s believed.
Replacing High-Calorie Drinks
An obvious way that drinking more water will help you lose weight is due to replacing high-calorie alternatives. Instead of quenching your thirst with a 20-ounce Dr Pepper, you can save yourself a couple hundred calories.
Unfortunately, a lot of people want “taste” in their drinks. I completely understand, I love Dr. Pepper. But, I also love the idea of not having a heart attack.
I’m not saying that you can never have another pop for the rest of your life. However, the next time you feel like you need a drink, try sprucing up some water.
I am a fan of water additives. In fact, you can find several that will flavor your water while being Keto friendly.
The bottom line is that there are a number of ways to add more to just plain water if you need something with taste.
Helping Facilitate Easier Workouts
Drinking more water will help you lose weight by making workouts easier to bear. Though, you still need to get off your butt and get in some exercise.
However, water helps regulate body temperature, ease joint pain, increases focus, and preventing premature fatigue.
Ask any expert and they will tell you that water is the best thing when exercising. It’s all about keeping your body hydrated and operating at optimal performance.
Sugars, caffeine, and alcohol are some of the worst things you can drink when working out.
How Much Water Should You Drink to Lose Weight?
There is actually quite a bit of controversy surrounding how much water you should drink in a day. Some experts say that 34 to 67 ounces per day is plenty. While others want you to drink double that amount.
And in one instance, I read an article where the calculation of weight to height stated I should down more than two gallons!
Sure, if I want to spend half the day in the bathroom.
Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a solid, quantifiable consensus on the best way to drink water for weight loss. It’s going to center mostly on the individual.
If you’re extremely active and sweat a lot, then yes, you’ll need to drink more water to replace what you’ve lost.
Personally, I try to turn the color of my urine a light, straw-colored yellow. That’s because your urine is a great indicator of hydration. Though, keep in mind, it’s not always the best tool to use.
All kinds of physical issues can change the color of your urine. But for the most part, it’s a great place to start to know if you drink enough water.
It’s Always a Good Idea to Drink More Water
In reality, roughly 22% of adults don’t get enough water in their day. This is according to a study based on the USDA recommendation of around 80 ounces max per day.
See what I mean? Everyone’s opinion differs when it comes to the maximum you should drink.
At any rate, it’s clear that most people in the US don’t drink enough water, especially in the hopes to lose weight. But if you have the option to drink water or soda with your next meal, consider the benefits.
While you won’t melt the pounds away instantly, drinking more water can help you lose weight over the long haul.
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