How drinking more water can help you lose weight?
Water helps in losing weight
The normal range of body water percentage in adults is always more than 50. We are required to consume water in order to survive but is this the only reason why we should drink water? Definitely not!
Water helps to reduce our appetite and boost metabolism. When we feel full, our brain gets a signal to stop eating. This prevents binge-eating, ultimately helping us to reduce weight.
A study showed that people who replaced one glass of a sugar-sweetened beverage for water every day for 4 years gained 0.49 fewer kilograms (kg) than a similar group who had made no changes.
Without enough water, our body cannot process fats and carbohydrates properly. Therefore drinking sufficient water is indeed important to burn stored fats and carbohydrates.
Water helps to maximize workouts by improving the functions of our muscles, cognitive tissues and joints.
Drinking water helps to regulate the body temperature
Our body loses a lot of water through sweating when we do any kind of physical work. Staying hydrated is essential to maintain our body temperature. If you think you are sweating more than usual, do not forget to drink additional water to avoid getting dehydrated.
Drinking water helps to create saliva
The main components of saliva include electrolytes, mucus, enzymes and water. Water is the main component of saliva and is essential for breaking down solid food which helps to keep our mouth healthy.
Drinking water helps in digestion and prevents constipation
Water helps our body to flush out waste. Have you ever experienced how you are unable to poop even after getting the urge to do so? Well, that happens when we are dehydrated. Water helps to break down the food so that our body can absorb nutrients properly. This ultimately makes the waste removal process easy and smooth.
Drinking water helps our body to protect tissues, spinal cord and joints. Water helps lubricate and guard our joints, spinal cord and tissues.
Improves blood oxygen circulation and fights illness
Water helps our body in absorbing all the nutrients from the food and improves blood oxygen circulation which increases our chances of getting better quickly when we fall sick.
Drinking water can cure kidney stones
Higher fluid intake increases the volume of urine passing through kidneys and this dilutes the concentration of minerals making it less likely for kidneys to crystallize and form clumps. There is less evidence to support this claim but it is one of the most sought after techniques to curb kidney stones as it prevents the formation of stones in the first place.
Water is essential for a healthy skin
Drinking enough water keeps our skin hydrated and may induce collagen production. But there is no evidence that drinking more water can reduce the effects of ageing.
Drinking water can enhance our mood
Not getting enough water can also affect our overall mood. Dehydration may result in fatigue, anxiety, confusion and stress.
Drinking water in the morning
A warm glass of water mixed with honey and half a lemon juice first thing in the morning is one of the easiest ways to kick start your day! It can speed up the weight loss process as well.
Drinking water in the morning makes it easy to maintain a healthy habit as it helps in keeping our body hydrated and increases fluid intake throughout the day.
Drinking water before and after a workout
When we work out, we lose water and electrolytes through sweat and it is important to replenish the lost fluids. Drinking plenty of water after exercising will help replace any lost fluids but excessive fluid losses can be harmful because they can cause electrolyte imbalances.
Drinking water before starting our workout will enhance our performance during exercise as it gives enough strength to our muscles to work properly.
How much water should you drink?
An average adult should drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. This can include other fluids as well like teas and juice and liquid from food.
But the water requirements of our body depends on various factors like the place where we live, our diet habits, seasons, etc.
If the place where we live is dry and humid, we need more water. We will also need more water if we live in mountains or high altitude areas.
Our diet also determines water requirements. If we intake more salty and spicy food, it is very likely that we will drink more water. We will also need more water if our diet does not include hydrating foods.
The seasons also affect the water requirement of our body. During summers we need more water because we perspire more.
Our activeness also plays a major role in determining our water requirements. If we exercise or do any intense activity, we will have to drink more water to cover the lost water. If we are standing or walking, we will need more water as compared to someone who is sitting at a desk.
Take Away
The amount of water you need totally depends on your external and internal factors. However, you should drink more often throughout the day, even when you are not thirsty.
Along with drinking sufficient water, eating healthy food is a must if you want your weight loss regime to give you satisfactory results. If you are battling obesity, it is important to maintain your current state of being, to improve your overall health.
