Water for Weight Loss
Drink Water for Weight Loss and Health Benefits
Our bodies are 70% water, making it an essential component of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Yes, water hydrates the body, and in doing so boasts a list of other health benefits as well that include the prevention of constipation and support for the kidneys and brain health. Water has also been considered nature’s “cough syrup” for its ability to keep breathing passages from drying out and getting plugged with mucus. But the question has been raised – can you drink water for weight loss?
Drink Water, Lose Weight
A new study from the University of Illinois, published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, shows the correlation between water and weight loss, leading us to believe that, YES!, drinking water aides in the weight loss process. The study found that the majority of people who increased their consumption of plain water by just 1% saw an overall reduction in their intake of daily calories, cholesterol, sugar, sodium and saturated fat.
Combined with healthy eating habits and regular exercise, water plays a critical role in your health. You can also increase your daily water intake by eating fruits and vegetables with a high water content like watermelon, cucumber, radishes, celery, tomatoes and green peppers, among others. Avoid drinking water-like beverages, including flavored waters, if possible, unless you’re flavoring the water with your own natural ingredients like adding cucumber, or lemon. Bottled flavored water typically contains added ingredients that aren’t supportive of overall health.
How Much Water?
As a general rule, children should consume one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. For example, a child that weighs 50 pounds should drink 50 ounces of water each day. Adults, however, only need half an ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, you should aim to drink about 80 ounces of water each day.
Drink an extra glass of water when you wake up, enjoy an extra serving post-workout or add in more high water content foods throughout the entire day and see how it makes you feel!