Have you ever fact-checked these claims about the one thing you drink the most during the day?
Water is given prime importance when it comes to consumption by the body to survive. And rightly so. Since, water has myriad benefits. “Stay Hydrated” is a default health advice that you will see in multiple lifestyle articles.
Water is very closely associated with weight loss as well. Multitudes of explanations are available on the internet as to why drinking lots of water will aid you in your weight loss journey. But have you ever fact-checked these claims about the one thing you drink the most during the day. If not, then we are here to present you some facts and bust some myths associated with water.
WATER AND WEIGHT LOSS
Let’s address the elephant in the room first. Some people drink water like it’s the antidote to weight gain. Well, it is not true that water helps in weight loss. Water does not have any weight loss property. Water only acts as a medium for those herbs and condiments that, when taken with water, can influence your weight positively.
THE MORE THE BETTER
Well, this is not true for anything, even if it is said in the context of water. Drinking too much water can drastically lower your sodium levels, which can prove to be fatal. This particular phenomenon is known as hyponatremia or water toxicity.
THIRSTY DOES NOT MEAN DEHYDRATED
Another misconception is related to thirst. People generally think that they are dehydrated. Thirst is a wrong measure for dehydration. Sometimes, fluid level in the body drops by 4 percent before you even realise that you are thirsty. If you really want to see if you are drinking enough fluids, then you should notice the colour of your urine.
THE ‘8 GLASSES OF WATER’ ADVICE
Similar to the more the merrier concept, many people abide by the advice of drinking 8 glasses of water every day. Although it might work for some, hydration levels are different for everybody. It varies on the basis of a person’s activity level, health, and diet.
WATER AND APPETITE
Water is a great appetite killer. During the weight loss journey, a person is advised to drink water before meals so that their portion is reduced. Doing this, you will automatically consume less calories.
1. Makes you feel full: Drinking water, especially 10-15 minutes before meals, improves satiety and keeps you feeling full for longer. This curbs excess hunger as well as cravings, thus helping you shed those kilos more quickly.
2. Boosts calorie burn: Most people who are overweight have difficulty burning calories fast enough. Studies suggest that drinking enough water helps burn calories even when you’re in a resting state. Moreover, research indicates that drinking water also helps burn carbohydrates and fats faster.
3. Naturally detoxes the body: When your body does not get enough water, it tends to accumulate toxins. Hydrating with water instead of other detox drinks helps flush these toxins out and reduces bloating and swelling associated with the retention of toxins in the body.
4. Reduces overall calorie intake: Research says that there are times when people are actually thirsty but the brain confuses thirst for hunger and they end up eating instead of drinking water. So, if you drink enough water, it’s unlikely for your to experience these mixed signals. This naturally reduces your overall calorie intake, especially from junk food and high-calorie drinks.
5. Improves exercise capacity: Water is integral for muscle function, so drinking enough of it can help the muscles, connective tissues and joints work well. Drinking water also helps reduce the occurence muscle cramps and fatigue. All of this improves your ability to exercise, which is quite necessary for sustainable weight loss.
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