Drinking Water Helps Lose Weight, How Effective is It?

Jakarta –

Drinking water is said to help you lose weight. Is the claim true? So how effective is water in supporting diet efforts?

Meeting your daily body fluid needs by drinking water is very important. Because with sufficient hydration, various body organs can function normally.

Apart from that, hydration also plays a role in losing weight. Regarding the amount of intake, citing Very Well Health, men aged 19 years and over need at least 3.7 liters of water, while women need 2.7 liters.

In relation to weight loss efforts, here are 6 reasons why it is important to drink water:

1. Suppress appetite

Water can function as a natural appetite suppressant. When full, the stomach sends a signal to the brain to stop eating. Water fills the space in the stomach so that you feel full.

Apart from that, many people think they are hungry, even though they are actually just thirsty. Drinking a glass of water before eating can help curb unnecessary snacking.

2. Increase calorie burning

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Several studies show that drinking water can help burn calories.

Quoting from Medical News Today, research in 2014 observed 12 people who drank 500 milliliters (ml) of cold water and room temperature water experienced an increase in energy expenditure.

They were able to burn 2-3 percent more calories than usual in 90 minutes after drinking water.

Drinking cold water can further increase the benefits of burning calories because the body expends energy by heating the water for digestion.

3. Remove toxins from the body

A body that lacks fluids will have difficulty properly eliminating waste or waste substances in the form of urine or feces.

A body with sufficient fluids makes the kidneys able to filter toxins and waste substances without wasting important nutrients and electrolytes.

Water also helps keep waste substances from moving by softening or diluting feces.

4. Reduce calorie intake

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Many people unknowingly put excessive calories into the body, especially through drinks. Soda, juice, coffee with milk and alcoholic drinks are types of high-calorie drinks.

Replacing some high-calorie drinks with zero-calorie drinks such as water can reduce daily calorie intake.

5. Burn fat

The body will have difficulty metabolizing fats or carbohydrates without water. The process of fat metabolism is called lipolysis.

The initial step of lipolysis is hydrolysis or water molecules interacting with triglycerides (fat), producing glycerol and fatty acids.

Therefore, drinking water is very important for burning fat and losing weight.

6. Optimize the benefits of exercise

Want to lose weight? Don’t forget to exercise.

Adequate fluid intake will help muscles, connective tissue, and joints move properly.

Water also helps the lungs, heart and other organs work effectively during exercise.

This article was published on CNN Indonesia with the title “Water to lose weight, is it possible?“

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