Will drinking water help me lose weight?

How does water support a weight loss? Image by labroots.com

We heard it so many times - "drink plenty of water when you're on a diet".  But why is it so important? And does water have some magic powers to help us lose weight?
Unfortunately not, water won't help you shed those extra pounds, but it will stop you feeling hungry. Often, people mistake dehydration with hunger pangs, and reach for a snack instead of a water. Staying hydrated will help you control over-eating and snacking!

A recent study in "Obesity" looked at a group of obese people, in which half was told to drink a glass of water 30 minutes before each meal. The other half ate a meal with no extra water.
The entire group was put on a programme of healthy eating and exercise and after 12 weeks it was found that those who had a glass of water before eating lost 3 pounds more, on average, than those who hadn't.

Another reason to drink water is to boost your metabolism. The kidneys filter toxins but when the body is dehydrated, they can’t function efficiently and the liver takes some of the load. As the liver normally metabolises fat, it can’t do this as effectively and this can lead to weight gain. If you drink enough water, both organs work properly and your body will function better, resulting in weight loss.

How much water is enough? Image by coachcalorie.com

But how much water is enough? 2 litres a day seems like a lot, especially if you don't like water on it's own. Let's start with adding extra cup with each meal. I like to have my breakfast with a cup of tea and a glass of tepid water - I'm not a big fan of cold water. Later in the morning I have a cup of coffee with another glass of water. I then have few more glasses during a day, totalling to 6 or 8.
Swap a couple of your normal cups of tea or coffee for decaffeinated varieties or drink herbal or fruit teas instead.
Mix the water with fresh lemon juice and honey for extra energy boost. Be careful with the lemon juice though. It can damage the tooth enamel, so don't over-do it.  One cup a day with lemon juice should be fine.

If you're not used to drinking so much water, start with 2-3 cups a day, maybe one before each meal, and increase the number over time. You will notice the improvement in your complexion as well, which will be very encouraging too!