Water

Does drinking lots of water really aid weight loss? Or is it just because it's good to stay hydrated? I know water is suggested when you think you're hungry but in fact you need fluids, and I admit that works. But from a weight loss point of view does it actually do anything?

Replies

  • drmerc
    drmerc Posts: 2,603 Member
    It may help you feel more full which might help, and its a good idea to stay hydrated
    But water has no magic weight loss properties unfortunately
  • that's what I thought...thanks :)
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    It has no weight loss properties except if you drink a big glass before a meal it may help you feel full sooner. Most people actually get enough water out of their food to survive. The whole 8 glasses a day, drink half your weight in ounces thing is total bunk.
  • The way I understand it, and this may be wrong but I've definitely read it somewhere, is that if you aren't properly hydrated then your body hangs on to excess water, but by drinking enough water apart from aiding digestion, it also means that your body has no need to store excess water and as a result you will weigh less when properly hydrated.

    My all be rubbish, but I've definitely read that somewhere, it would be interesting to know from someone in a medically authorative position to be able to confirm this or disprove it...

    ;-)
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    The way I understand it, and this may be wrong but I've definitely read it somewhere, is that if you aren't properly hydrated then your body hangs on to excess water, but by drinking enough water apart from aiding digestion, it also means that your body has no need to store excess water and as a result you will weigh less when properly hydrated.

    My all be rubbish, but I've definitely read that somewhere, it would be interesting to know from someone in a medically authorative position to be able to confirm this or disprove it...

    ;-)

    You may lose water weight and physically weigh less on the scale but it doesn't mean you are less fat. The biggest myth I hear is that drinking large amounts of water will flush the fat out and release toxins. All it actually does is make your kidneys work a lot harder than they need to. Nothing wrong with drinking water per se but it won't make you lose fat.
  • Yeah I agree with that, certainly good to drink water anyway, only thing I would say is that the initial question asked if it helped in weight loss, not fat loss, so arguably both for helping kerb appetite and helping stop water retention, the answer is probably yes ...lol