How Can Water Help You Loose Weight?

It is no secret that water forms a very important part of the human diet. Almost 70% of our bodies consist of water which makes it easy to appreciate the importance of water to the human body. Some of the major functions are regulation of body temperature, elimination of toxins and waste and the hydration of body tissue. One of its lesser known uses is that it can be applied to assist weight loss.

How does this work?

The role that water plays in weight loss is often underestimated. Water does not contain a single calorie, helps your body metabolise fat and is a great way to suppress your appetite. Ironically, water also helps reduce water retention; when you don't not drink enough water, your body will hang on the water that it has. By drinking more water your body does not have to retain water and so increased water consumption can minimise water retention. However, many people aren't natural water drinkers and it can be difficult for them to drink the daily requirement of water.

As far as weight loss is concerned, the biggest advantage you have to gain out of drinking water is that it is a natural appetite suppressant. Enough water will help keep your appetite under control and prevent you from over eating at meal times. It will also help you to stay regular and assist in digestion of food and secretion of waste from the bowl and kidneys.

How much water per day is enough?

You should drink at least two litres of water per day (about 6-8 glasses). Two litres might appear to be lot of water, but it should not be drunk all at once. One glass every hour or so during the course of the day will easily make you reach two litres.

When you have not drunk enough water, the first thing you will experience is a headache. In fact, most headaches are a result of a little dehydration, so have some water before you reach for the pain killers. Other symptoms that might indicate dehydration are constipation, dark urine and a skin that lacks elasticity.

And finally, it is important to note that the water you drink in the form of coffee or tea does not really count toward your daily total of two litres. This is because these drinks contain caffeine which is a natural diuretic, which means it induces water elimination from the body.

Any weight loss management program should have sufficient water consumption as an essential part of its daily requirements. This is important not only to keep your raging appetite under control, but also to keep you regular, healthy and hydrated.