Losing Weight Is As Simple As Drinking Water, Literally!

We all know that drinking water can prevent many problems from constipation to kidney stones. But if I tell you that a simple act of drinking water may help you lose weight, you may be more skeptical like I was before I read this article.

A study published in the journal Obesity shows that it may be true. In this study 84 obese adults were divided into 2 groups: one group who drank 500 ml of water 30 min before their main meals and the 2nd group is a control group where participants were told to imagine that their stomachs were full before their meals.

At the start of the study, all participants were given a 30 minute face-to-face weight management consultation and a 10 minute follow-up telephone consultation at 2 weeks. Their weight was tracked until the 12 week conclusion of the study.

After 12 weeks, the water-drinking group had lost an average of 5.3 pounds, compared with just 2.6 pounds among the imaginers. Also, 27 percent of water-drinkers lost at least 5 percent of their body weight. Only 5 percent of control group reached that goal. The best part is, there were no side effects from water!! But before we start gulping down the water by the gallons, we need to understand that drinking too much water may cause problems especially in someone with heart or kidney problems.

Drink Water To Lose Weight?

Although results show modest weight loss with drinking water, it does provide compelling evidence to encourage all those attempting to lose weight to increase their daily intake of water. Specifically, one should consume approximately 2 cups of water, about half an hour prior to most meals.

A similar study published in 2010 showed that the weight loss is going to be even more significant if you combine low calorie diet along with water consumption prior to meals.  So, water consumption should always be combined with other approaches such as diet and exercise if you want to loose more weight faster.

Sripathi R. Kethu, M.D. FACG.
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Sripathi R. Kethu, M.D. FACG.

Dr Kethu is a Gastroenterologist in Dallas.

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