Can Water help you lose weight?

I know, I know. "Drink water, duh." You might commonly hear people suggest that you should drink more water if you’re trying to lose weight. But what is it about water that support fat loss? Researches are still unsure why drinking more water helps a person to loss weight, but many studies show more positive correlation between increased water consumption and weight loss.

Keep reading to learn more about why we think water can help you to lose weight.

1. Water is Low Calorie

You cannot survive more than one week without water. Your muscles are 75 percent water and water are essential to your body’s energy system because it helps to transport oxygen, nutrients and waste to and from your cells. Water does not contain fats, carbohydrates or proteins. Also replacing even a few high-calorie drinks each day for water or other low-calorie beverages, such as herbal tea, may have long-term weight loss benefits.

It’s important element in your healthy eating habits, yet contains zero calories, so it does not add to weight gain. Zero calories result in zero weight gain.

2. Proper Hydration

Your body depends on water to survive and function properly. Staying hydrated keeps your memory sharp, your mood stable and your motivation intact. Being even mildly dehydrated can negatively impact brain function, mood, heart health, and your energy levels. And while you can get water from food and other beverages, there is no better source than water itself.

Dehydration can mess directly with your weight loss efforts when it causes food cravings. Hunger can be a sign of early dehydration, since your body is using up glycogen stores more quickly, and drinking water could help calm your appetite if this is the case.

3. Help Metabolism

Without water, the body cannot properly metabolize stored fat or carbohydrates. Water help support digestion, nutrient absorption and your ability to burn fat for energy. In fact, without water, your body cannot properly metabolize fat and carbohydrates. Drinking enough water is essential for burning off fat from food and drink, as well as stored fat.

4. Calms Your Appetite

When the stomach senses that it is full, it sends signals to the brain to stop eating. Water can help to take up space in the stomach, leading to a feeling of fullness and reducing hunger. A person may also think that they are hungry when they are actually thirsty. Drinking a glass of water 30 minutes before a meal may help you eat less calories overall. In one study, 50 overweight females drank 500 milliliters (mL) of water 30 minutes before breakfast, lunch, and dinner, in addition to their regular water consumption, for 8 consecutive weeks.

The participants experienced a reduction in body weight, body fat, and body mass index. They also reported appetite suppression.

5. Supports Your Workouts

One of the most important components of any weight loss plan is exercise. Well hydrated, the water inside and outside the cells of contracting muscles provides adequate nutrients and removes waste efficiently so you perform better. Water helps lubricating joints, muscles and connective tissues.

Staying hydrated for your workouts can help reduce fatigue, increase endurance, lower your muscle cramps, and help you to be less sore after exercise, helping you get more out of your gym session.

Always drink water before, during and after exercise to avoid dehydration.