Water for Weight Loss, Myth or Fact?

There’s no shortage weight loss diets that promise a miracle cure for all our weight problems. We all know the important role that water plays in keeping our body healthy but being a key ingredient in a weight loss program that remains to be seen. Water is basically free and is much cheaper compared to other diet programs. However, the verdict is still out there if it can help in our weight loss efforts. But there’s no question of its importance in terms of keeping our body hydrated during exercises.

Two thirds of the body is composed of water. It plays a major role in maintaining our body’s normal processes. Anywhere from eliminating waste products to keeping our regulating our body temperature through sweat. It keeps our joints lubricated to avoid injuries during our workouts.

In terms of weight loss efforts, water can function as a natural appetite suppressant. With water taking up the same amount of space as food, drinking water could leave you feeling full in no time. It also aids in metabolism, speeding up the process and helping you take full advantage of eating a healthy diet.

Negative Effects of Dehydration

With water making up a major part of our body and its importance in normal body functioning not taking the recommended amount of water can have a negative effect on health. A two percent drop on your hydration levels can leave us dizzy or lose concentration. This can be dangerous especially when you’re lifting weights as a single second of lost concentration can result to a serious injury.

Hydration is important when performing physical activities. Water is not only lost through sweat but also through breathing. Low levels of water can make performing simple exercise difficult or get you easily tired. Lack of water can also be interpreted by the body as hunger. This can give you an irresistible urge to eat hence more calories you might not actually need.  Some studies have even shown a relationship between low water intake and obesity.

Water and Weight Loss

Those who find snacking in between meals irresistible could replace their eating habits by drinking water.  A study found that drinking water was effective in satiating their hunger. This helped people reduce their caloric intake from unscheduled snacks.

Water does not only replace lost fluids during workouts but can also increase our energy levels. Water play an important role in metabolism. It makes it more efficient helping the body create more fuel.  Improved metabolism decreases downtime and fatigue giving us the ability to spend more time in the gym.

Water versus other drinks

Water in its purest form is the safest liquid to consume for your weight loss efforts. Today’s sugary drinks are rich in empty calories that don’t do anything in fueling up the body. It can even interfere with how we absorb water. Caffeinated drinks are natural diuretics or those that promote fluid loss. So you end up losing more fluids instead of hiking your fluid levels.

Good or Bad for Weight loss

Studies has yet to prove the effectiveness of water in helping us shed those extra pounds or does it have a direct effect on weight loss. We easily lose two cups of water daily and normal perspiration causes us to lose another two cups of water. But there is no debate on the importance of water in our body’s major processes. It is estimated that 6 cups of water is used for the intestines and kidneys. And this does not include water lost during workouts.

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