Most people consider dieting as a measure of cutting back on their portions to curb weight loss. A new study suggests drinking a couple glasses of water before meals will help take the weight off.
Drinking water has always been recommended for staying hydrated and for its benefits that help flush toxins from the body. It is the most natural drink anybody can take that is fortified with minerals. However, it may have a new healthy benefit.
“As part of a prudent, low-calorie weight-loss diet, adding water may help with weight-loss success,” says Brenda Davy, Ph.D..
Davy tested a small study group, even though little or no research has been done to verify if it actually helps you lose weight. It is the first controlled group to examine the benefits of “preloading” with water before meals.
After testing the study group, the new data indicated the weight-loss can last for more than a full year. People who drank two 8-ounce glasses of water before meals had lost an average of 1.5 pounds. Those who did not drink enough water before meals gained an average of 2 pounds.
Davy is not sure why drinking water before meals promotes weight-loss. The main reason is that once water fills up the stomach people tend to feel full, curbing the desire to eat more. Eating less during meals results in fewer overall calories.
The study also found drinking more water encouraged people to stop drinking soda and other beverages full of calories.