Puget Sound Surgical Center

Research suggest that drinking water can help you lose weight. An abstract by Virginia Tech professor Dr. Brenda Davy, presented at last year’s obesity conference in Phoenix, Arizona, showed that people who drank two glasses of water 20 to 30 minutes before every meal lost more weight more quickly and lost significantly more weight than those who didn’t drink water.

Professor Davy, published another study last year in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, that found that people who drank water before meals ate an average of 75 fewer calories at that meal. This small caloric factor may not seem like much, however, if you ate 75 fewer calories at lunch and dinner for the next year, you could lose about 14½ pounds! Additionally, being even 1 percent dehydrated can cause a decrease in metabolism, which can also interfere with weight loss.

For some, it is very difficult for the body to differentiate hunger from thirst. If you don’t drink enough water throughout the day, you may mistake thirst for hunger and eat more than you really need to, which can also hinder weight loss. It is very important to stay well hydrated, particularly if you are trying to lose weight. It is important to eat lots of water-based foods like soups, vegetables and low-fat dairy, which are equally important for weight loss, as they lower the calorie density of meals. That can help you reduce calories without reducing portions.

It is important not to drink excessive amounts of water too soon (gallons and gallons). Which can cause a dangerous condition known as hyponatremia (low sodium levels in the blood). This condition can cause confusion, irritability and seizures and may even lead to a coma. However, people should be more concerned with not drinking enough water versus drinking too much.