We all know that drinking water is good for us. The many benefits include: lubricates joints, promotes healthy skin, carries oxygen, cushions organs, prevents constipation, regulates body temperature, and increases energy. Did you know that drinking enough water can also help you to lose weight? That’s right, getting an adequate amount of H20 can help to rid your body of any extra pounds you are holding onto. Here are 6 main reasons why drinking water can help you to lose weight:
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Suppresses Appetite. One of the main symptoms of dehydration is hunger. Grab a glass of water before reaching for a snack and this could help prevent needless eating. When the stomach senses fullness, it will alert the brain to stop eating. Water takes up a lot of space in the stomach, which can help with feeling full.
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Increases Calorie Burn. Water enhances the body’s ability to burn calories. Some research shows that water can help to increase the body’s Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR). RMR is the number of calories a body needs in order to maintain weight at complete rest. One study found that RMR increased by 24-30% in adults within 10 minutes of drinking water. This extra boost in calorie burn lasted for 60 minutes. Drinking cold water can further increase calorie burn, as it takes extra energy to heat up the water for proper digestion.
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Reduces Calorie Intake from other Beverages. It is quite easy to accumulate a lot of calories from liquids such as soda, juice, sports drinks, sweetened coffee/teas, and alcohol. Replacing even just a few of these high calorie beverages each day with water, can have positive long-term benefits with weight loss efforts.
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Eliminates Waste from our Bodies.When our bodies become dehydrated, we are not able to properly rid waste. Sufficient amounts of water help the kidneys to filter toxin and wastes while at the same time, retains nutrients and electrolytes. When our bodies are dehydrated, the kidneys retain fluid. Dehydration can also cause constipation, which leads to feeling bloated and swollen. This can add inches to the waistline.
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Enhances Workouts. Exercise is one of the most important components to a weight loss program. Water happens to be one of the most important components to an exercise program. Water assists joints, muscles, and connective tissues with moving properly. It also assists with the lungs, heart and other major organs to work appropriately when increasing activity. Staying hydrated during exercise can help to avoid muscle cramps and fatigue. Aim for drinking water before, during and after exercise. Staying hydrated is especially important when exercising in hot, humid, or sunny weather.
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Needed to Burn Fat. Getting enough water is essential for burning off stored fat, as well as fat from food and drink. Without a sufficient amount of water, the body cannot properly break down stored fat or carbohydrates. This breakdown of fat is called lipolysis.
As you can see, the benefits of staying hydrated are quite numerous, especially when it comes to weight loss. How much water do we need each day? Some people require more than others, depending on age, body size, activity level and sun exposure. In general, aim for 2-3 liters daily. For additional guidance on your weight loss journey, call and schedule a time to meet with us at Blue Sky MD.
