The human body is comprised of 60 percent water. Drink enough water each day and your body's systems will work more efficiently, including those that are responsible for metabolic processes. Drinking water can also help you feel full, so keep some on hand throughout the day to facilitate weight loss.
Water and Weight Loss
People who drink water throughout the day tend to have fewer high-calorie drinks, eat more fruits and vegetables and consume fewer calories in general, according to Dr. Barry Popkin at the University of North Carolina Nutrition Obesity Research Center. Water seems to have a more direct influence on weight loss as well. Dieters who drink two 8 oz. glasses of water before meals, for instance, lost five additional pounds in a three month period than people who didn't do so, according to Brenda Davy, who conducted a study examining the effect of water on weight loss that was published in the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association."
Body Weight
The amount of water you need to drink each day to stay hydrated and facilitate weight loss depends on how many pounds you weigh. A good rule of thumb is to drink .5 oz. of water per pound of body weight, if you're inactive, and .75 oz. of water per pound of weight if you are active, according to Dr. Thomas Stearns Lee. Add an additional 16 oz. if you live in a dry climate or exercise strenuously.
Making Water Palpable
If you are accustomed to drinking soda, milk or other flavored beverages, switching to water can be disappointing to your taste buds. Eliminate boredom by "jazzing up" your water with slices of lemon or lime. Melon cubes, mint leaves or a squeeze of orange can also give your water a fresh taste. On occasion, drink sparkling water to give your taste buds a pleasant surprise. Consider installing a water purifier if the tap water in your area has an unpleasant taste or odor.
Warning
In your enthusiasm to use water to help with weight loss, don't go overboard. Too much of anything can be harmful, and water is no exception. Drinking more water than your body requires can result in water intoxication. When this occurs, the sodium levels in your blood can decrease dramatically, creating a situation in which the body stops eliminating water. This condition can be deadly. To avoid water intoxication, do not force yourself to drink water when you are not thirsty, and pay attention to symptoms such as nausea and bloating when you have been consuming relatively large amounts of water.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Water -- How Much Should You Drink Every Day?
- University of Arkansas: Drinking Water Before Meals Reduces Hunger
- NaturoDoc; Calculating Your Own Daily Water Requirements; Dr. Thomas Stearns Lee
- "Observer Online"; Investigational Drug Treats Water Intoxication More Effectively; Marla Paul; November 2006
- Harvard Medical School; T of Too Much Water; July 2008he Hazards
- "Journal of the American Dietetic Association"; Water Consumption Reduces Energy Intake at a Breakfast Meal in Obese Older Adults; Brenda M. Davy, et al., July 2008
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