Frequently drinking water is a smart strategy for weight loss. Not only does water work to keep you hydrated and keep all of your body systems running smoothly, but it acts as a refreshing, calorie-free beverage to enjoy during exercise or anytime. Tap water may pose more potential risks than distilled or filtered water, but there is no evidence to suggest that it offers fewer benefits for weight loss.
Benefits
Since such a large percentage of our body is made up of water, it makes sense that drinking it keeps us healthy. According to MayoClinic.com, drinking any type of water, whether it comes from the tap or a bottle, helps flush toxins out of your organs, successfully delivers nutrients to cells and keeps energy levels high. Regularly drinking water also prevents dehydration, which can interfere with weight loss efforts. CNN.com's physician nutrition specialist, Dr. Melina Jampolis, states that "being even 1 percent dehydrated can cause a significant drop in metabolism," which may slow your rate of calorie burn.
Expert Insight
In 2010, Virginia Tech researcher and health professor Brenda Davy came out with a study showing that overweight and obese people who drank two glasses of water prior to eating meals lost more weight than people who skipped the water and followed a low-calorie diet. After the 12-week study, the water drinkers had lost nearly 30 percent more weight and were eating an average of 75 to 90 fewer calories per meal. Although the study didn't specify whether participants drank tap or filtered water, Davy hypothesized that the extra weight loss was due to a feeling of fullness brought on by the water, which would arise from drinking any type.
Risks
The quality of American tap water remains in dispute. According to "The New York Times," more than 62 million Americans since 2004 have experienced exposure to tap water that did not meet government health guidelines for protection from serious disease. Traces of pesticides, carcinogens and heavy metals may be found in some tap water, but despite potential risks of the water, it can still work to encourage weight loss. "It doesn't matter if you drink bottled water or tap water. Just drink more water. It's a powerful way to cut weight," says University of North Carolina nutrition professor Barry Popkin in an article for "USA Today."
Considerations
Although water may help limit the total number of calories you eat in a day, it's still important to realize that it's not a guarantee for weight loss. To slim down, you must consistently burn more calories than you eat. Your body needs vital nutrients, minerals and vitamins to thrive, so it's healthiest to eat a variety of natural, low-calorie foods along with the water you drink. Before you begin any new diet or weight loss plan, talk it over with your doctor.
References
- VT.edu: Clinical Trial Confirms Effectiveness of Simple Appetite Control Method; Lori Greiner; 2010
- MayoClinic.com: Water - How Much Should You Drink Every Day?; April 17, 2010
- CNN.com: Can Drinking Lots of Water Help You Lose Weight?; December 24, 2010
- NYTimes.com: Millions Drink Tap Water That Is Legal, But Maybe Not Healthy; Charles Duhigg; December 16, 2009
- USAToday.com: Study - Drink More Water, Lose More Weight; Nanci Hellmich; October 24, 2006
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