If you’ve ever read a list of things to do to promote weight loss — and most of us have — chances are drinking more water was on it. It’s always there, but its multiple benefits are seldom explained in full, and that can cause its importance to be overlooked. Read on to discover the many ways water can help you lose weight.
Water fills you up
Although water on its own may not contribute any calories that eliminate hunger, drinking water with your meal creates more volume in your stomach, which can cause you to feel satisfied faster. Try drinking two glasses of water before each meal and one during to help you feel full sooner.
You can’t burn calories without water
The process of burning calories efficiently requires water. According to caloriesperhour.com, dehydration slows down the fat-burning process, and it also causes a reduction in blood volume, which reduces the amount of nutrients going to your muscles. This can leave you feeling tired. When you pair a slow calorie burn with muscle fatigue, the possibility of substantial weight loss is significantly reduced.
Water aids in eliminating waste
Fibre helps eliminate waste from the body, but too much fibre and not enough water can actually lead to constipation. And the number on the scale certainly won’t go down if food waste remains trapped inside your body. Consuming an adequate amount of water is crucial for the excretion of food waste.
Water is the best alternative
As human beings, we need fluids in our diet. But many of the beverages out there today are high in calories and sugar, and the calories found in drinks do little to create a sense of fullness. Rather than getting your calories from nutrient-lacking drinks, enjoy a healthy snack, such as a handful of nuts or a piece of fruit, and wash it down with a cold glass of hydrating water.
Water cleanses the palate
When you decide to treat yourself to a certain food, you don’t intend to overdo it. But sometimes when the taste of a piece of chocolate or a handful of chips lingers in your mouth, it can be tempting to indulge again, and before you know it, you’ve eaten far more than you had planned to and are filled with guilt. That’s where water comes in. After enjoying a well-earned treat, drink a small glass of water. Let the water wash out any trace of the delicacy so you cannot taste it anymore. The removal of the taste as well as the added hydration will assist in ensuring you don’t go back for more.
Science supports drinking water
It isn’t just anecdotal evidence that supports the notion of drinking water to lose weight. According to Discovery News, a study done a few years ago indicates that obese dieters who drank two glasses of water before each meal lost five pounds more over the course of three months than dieters who didn’t increase their water intake. The water drinkers were also more successful at keeping the weight off.
Drinking water gives you something to do
Many people who begin to attempt to lose weight are often overwhelmed by the extra time they suddenly have because they aren’t constantly eating. Unfortunately all that free time can make you crave bad foods even more because they’re all you can think about. Water can help in this situation too. When you feel like reaching for a juice or soda, grab a glass of water instead. You can even dress it up with a few berries or squeeze of lemon juice for added flavour. Ultimately our bodies need water to operate efficiently, so what have you got to lose by incorporating more into your daily diet?
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