Water can do some pretty magical things for your body. But can it help you lose weight? The short answer is yes. With conflicting opinions and studies floating around, we've curated a list of the top 5 ways water can help you lose weight, agreed upon by industry experts and backed by clinical studies.
1. INCREASE CALORIC BURN
Drinking water actually increases the amount of calories you burn through what is called energy expenditure. One study showed that in adults, resting energy expenditure has been shown to increase by 24–30% within 10 minutes of drinking water (J Clin Endocrine Metab). Simply put: drink water = burn those cals!
2. CURB SNACK CRAVINGS
By staying hydrated, you can actually avoid overeating. “A lot of people confuse thirst for hunger,” says Keri Peterson, M.D., a physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City and a medical advisor for Women’s Health. Simply put: curb that midday snack craving with some hydration! Drink a glass of water and wait 15 minutes. Then, see if you’re still longing for some food.
3. METABOLIZE FAT EFFICIENTLY
Water helps the body to process and eliminate toxic waste, aiding the liver in the metabolization of fat. For those already on a diet or cleanse, this is particularly important. By drinking plenty of water, your liver can efficiently metabolize food into energy without being overburdened by dehydrated kidneys and toxin buildup.
4. REDUCE APPETITE
Drinking water before you eat a meal can also reduce appetite. One study showed that by drinking
water before breakfast reduced the amount of calories consumed during the meal by 13% (J Am Diet Assoc).
5. AVOID SUGAR OVERLOAD
When you drink water, you are naturally avoiding other beverages that are often sugary and caloric. Therefore, drinking water is linked with reduced sugar intake (BMC Public Health). Now that’s a simple solution.
So let’s summarize: water is 100% calorie free, curbs your appetite, gets your liver and kidneys working efficiently in the elimination of toxins and metabolization of fat, and helps you avoid less healthy drink alternatives. Together, these properties of water can aid in your weight loss journey. That being said, water is not the sole solution to weight loss: it is only one piece of the puzzle. Results come with time, exercise, healthy eating, dedication and staying hydrated!