Drinking water helps you lose weight by decreasing your hunger. When your stomach is empty, hunger pangs signal you to eat. If you drink water before a meal, you will be less likely to overeat because your stomach thinks it's full. Just a few glasses of water before each meal can help you lose weight.
Expert Insight
Recent research seems to confirm the weight-loss benefits of drinking water before your meals. A study presented at a 2010 meeting of the American Chemical Society reported that drinking two 8-oz. glasses of water before each meal led to greater weight loss, according to CNN Health. The study's participants were divided into two groups, each of which followed standard weight-loss methods, such as portion control and adhering to a low-calorie diet. After a year, the group that drank 16 oz. of water before each meal on average lost about 15.5 lbs., while the group that did not drink water before meals lost only 11 lbs.
Function
Drinking water between meals also helps control your hunger pangs. When you feel tempted to have an unhealthy snack, drink a glass of water instead. The extra water will keep you hydrated and help you control your hunger until it's time for your next meal.
Alternatives
Any liquid can help you feel full, but soda, alcohol and other high-calorie beverages add too many calories to your diet. If water is too boring for you, try a low-calorie beverage instead, such as diet soda, tea or hot water with lemon. Avoid products that contain high-fructose corn syrup or sugar, as these ingredients have many calories.
Considerations
Carry a bottle of water with you to stave off hunger pangs. If water quality is an issue in your region, buy a water filtration bottle, which has a special cap that filters the water as you drink it. If you like commercially bottled water, keep several bottles in the car, at your desk or any other place you might need to control your hunger.
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