Liv Life Liverpool

Does drinking water help with weight loss?

Water makes up a large proportion of the body and it plays an essential role in numerous body functions from digestion and absorption of nutrients to lubricating joints and maintaining body temperature.

The body burns fat naturally and converts it into energy, this is known as lipolysis and water is essential for this process to occur. It is how the body breaks down fat and the first step is called hydrolysis when the body adds water to fat which helps it to be broken down.

Studies have shown that increasing water intake causes an increase in lipolysis and therefore an increase in metabolism, which is how we convert food into energy, i.e., burning calories. Other research suggests that drinking cold water can stimulate and boost metabolism because the body needs to work harder to increase the temperature of the water, so we burn more calories; this process is known as water induced thermogenesis.

When we become a little dehydrated, the body often mistakes it for hunger so while we think we might need to eat, all the body may need is to drink some water. There is some evidence to suggest that drinking 500mls of water 30 minutes before eating can increase feelings of fullness so that fewer calories are eaten, so if you’re tempted to snack, try drinking a glass of water first.

Some ways to increase water intake are to get a portable and reusable water bottle that can be kept full and be carried around easily, regularly eat foods with a high-water content like tomatoes, strawberries, cucumber, cauliflower, watermelon and natural yoghurt and make infused water by adding slices of fresh fruit, vegetables or herbs.

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