How Many Ounces Of Water Should I Drink A Day To Lose Weight?

Drinking water is the perfect complement to every diet plan. While it alone won't make you shed pounds, staying hydrated is key to good health. Your body weight is about 60 percent water and drinking more of it will ensure your systems work properly. According to MayoClinic.com, "water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues." There is no successful water diet, but drinking enough fluids every day will enable you to reach your goals and maintain your weight loss.

Water to Lose Weight

Increased water consumption won't directly help you lose weight, according Julia Valentour, programs coordinator for the American Council on Exercise. "Drinking water may increase metabolism, but the effect is minor and temporary, so it has no major effect on weight loss." Water is a healthier and lower calorie choice compared to high-sugar soft drinks. "Since your stomach will feel full from the water, you may be better equipped to avoid overeating," she said.

Water Helps Curb Appetite

There may be some hope for water doing more to help move the scale in a downward direction. "Dieters who drank water before meals, three times per day, lost about 5 pounds more than dieters who did not increase their water intake," according to a study conducted by Virginia Tech. "People should drink more water and less sugary, high-calorie drinks. It's a simple way to facilitate weight management," concluded Brenda Davy, senior author on the study.

Exercise & Water Needs

Increasing the amount of water you consume before, during and after exercising is critical. Valentour recommends drinking between 17 to 20 oz. of water two hours before you begin working out and 7 to 10 oz. at 10- to 20-minute intervals during exercise. When you're finished exercising, drink 16 to 24 oz. of water to replace fluids lost through sweating.

Choose Foods Full of Water

If you're looking for ways to increase your fluids and add a bit more crunch to your diet, eat fruits and vegetables. Broccoli, grapefruit, cantaloupe and tomatoes, for example, are more than 90 percent water. They are easily absorbed by the body and will contribute directly toward your daily water consumption totals.

Health Problems Cause By Too Little Water

Just as keeping fluids flowing through your body increases healthfulness, a lack of water may result in dehydration --- an inadequate amount of fluid necessary for your body to carry out its normal, daily functions. "Water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to your cells and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues," according to MayoClinic.com. If left uncorrected, dehydration can become a serious health issue with symptoms like dizziness, headaches and listlessness.