The body is composed of approximately 60 percent water in a man and 50 percent water in a woman. The average person can lose up to three liters of water a day through sweat, urine and breath; however, this may increase or decrease, depending on your activity levels. Water needs to be replaced throughout the day in order to prevent dehydration. The present recommendation is to drink around 8 or 9 cups of fluid a day but this can vary from person to person.
Functions
Water helps to maintain balance and equilibrium throughout our bodies. It is involved in maintaining good digestion, temperature regulation and is necessary for both secretion and excretion processes. It also helps to lubricate internally and cushions joints and organs. Water is essential for survival and one of the main building blocks of life. Eighty percent of blood is composed of water.
Evidence for Weight Loss
Recent research suggests that drinking water prior to eating can help reduce the amount we eat and may help with weight loss. A study carried out by Brenda Davy, Ph.D., was conducted over 12 weeks. It involved two groups of adults, one group drinking 2 cups of water prior to meals while the other group did not. It was found that those who drank prior to meals ate less and lost approximately 5 lbs. more than the group who did not drink water prior to meals. Davy also suggests that by drinking more water in place of sweetened beverages may also help with weight loss.
Water and Dieting
Another study carried out at Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute and led by Jodi D. Stookey, suggests that drinking water can result in significant weight loss for women who are dieting. This was a short-term study carried out over a period of 12 months. The participants who took part and were on a diet who replaced most of their sugary drinks with water lost at least 5 lbs. Those who drank more than four glasses of water each day lost 2 lbs. more than the group who had less than four glasses of water each day.
Considerations
Many people eat when they feel thirsty mistaking thirst for hunger, according to Dr. Melina Jampolis. If you drink before you eat, then this is less likely to occur. She also states that if you become dehydrated, this can slow your metabolism down making weight gain more likely and weight loss more difficult.
References
- CNN Health: Can Drinking Lots of Water Help You Lose Weight?
- Obesity A Research Journal: Drinking Water Is Associated With Weight Loss in Overweight Dieting Women Independent of Diet and Activity
- Science Daily: Drink Water to Curb Weight Gain? Clinical Trial Confirms Effectiveness of Simple Appetite Control Method
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