Drinking eight cups of water a day can help lead to weight loss. Not only does the body require liquids to function, it can confuse thirst for hunger. Hydrating your body sufficiently throughout the day can stave off hunger pains, as well as help you to feel fuller longer. Drinking water regularly can also benefit your health, as it washes out toxins and cleanses the intestines.
Significance
Humans can survive much longer without food than they can water -- about eight weeks versus three to five days. The body uses water to produce saliva and sweat, deliver nutrients to cells, and digest food. Without water, the body dehydrates. Some symptoms of dehydration include headache, dizziness, muscle weakness, thirst and dry mouth. Doctors recommend the average adult drink about eight cups of water a day.
Weight Loss
Drinking two cups of water before each meal, in addition to eating a low-calorie diet, may lead to weight loss. Dr. Brenda Davy, an associate professor at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, reported on the results of a study that found obese dieters who drank two cups of water before each meal lost, on average, five pounds more than dieters who made no changes to their water intake. Not only did the obese dieters lose weight, they kept more off than the other participants.
Suggestions
Avoid getting your eight cups from soda or juices high in sugar, as both can be high in calories. Although diet drinks may be zero in calories, they can cause excess thirst and dehydration, due to the high sugar content. Diet drinks may also cause the body to crave more sugar.
Precautions
Drinking too much water can lead to a life-threatening condition known as hyponatremia. Hyponatremia, an electrolyte imbalance, occurs when the body's sodium level is extremely low. Consume a sports drink containing electrolytes after intense exercise or working in the sun to replenish sodium. Disperse your water consumption throughout the day, rather than drinking all eight cups of water at once.
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