5 Reasons Why Drinking Water Helps You Lose Weight

As far as we know, proper diet and exercise are the two most important elements of weight loss. But did you know that drinking plenty of water alone can also help you lose weight? It’s one of the simplest ways to shed body fat. 

So for those who hate exercise or can’t commit to a workout due to a busy schedule, water can help a lot. Here’s how.

1. Water can help burn body fat.

Water promotes proper metabolism of stored body fat. It also helps your body burn fat from the foods and drinks you consume daily. 

A study in 2016 reported that adequate hydration reduces fat in rat experiments. Researchers also documented that increase in water intake induces lipolysis – the breakdown of stored fat.

2. Water suppresses appetite.

Every time you drink water, you’re filling up spaces in your stomach, which keeps hunger at bay. Your cravings will naturally decline as well.

A study in 2014 involving 50 females who are overweight shows that drinking more water effectively reduces body weight.

Aside from regular water intake, participants were instructed to drink 500 ml of water 30 minutes before each meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner) for 8 straight weeks.

At the end of the experiment, all participants experienced weight loss. They also observed a decrease in body fat and body mass index. Furthermore, the participants reported appetite suppression.

3. Water eliminates body wastes.

When you’re dehydrated, you can’t effectively discard waste from your system. Dehydration also forms hard stools, resulting in constipation and irregular bowel movement. Retaining body waste may also lead to a bloated stomach. Always stay hydrated to avoid waste buildup in your body.

4. Water helps burn calories.

Drinking water doesn’t just burn body fat, but calories too. When you drink cold water, your body will expend energy or calories to warm the water in your body during the digestion process.

This simply means that water increases the amount of calories you burn, or resting energy expenditure, while you’re resting.

It was shown in a 2014 study that the energy expenditure of the 12 participants were elevated 1 ½ hours after drinking 500 ml of cold and room temperature water. The participants’ calorie metabolic rate increased between 2 and 3 percent too.

5. Drinking water helps cut high-calorie drinks.

When you drink plenty of water daily, you’re less likely to reach for sweetened drinks like soda, juice, or coffee that contain calories.

Water has zero calorie content so the more water you drink, the faster you’ll lose pounds.

In a 2015 study, female participants who were overweight and obese, lost weight after replacing their diet drinks with water.

Water doesn’t only cleanse your body, it also accelerates weight loss by suppressing your appetite, keeping you full, and helping your body burn fat and calories.

Transform into a new you now! Start losing weight by drinking water, at least 8-10 glasses a day.