Water is the lifeline of healthy bodily function, but it also may win the title of the most natural, least expensive, most miracle-like tool for people seeking weight loss.

Losing weight is unsurprisingly slow without the tweaking of dietary and physical activity habits, but even as a standalone variable, water can bump metabolism and speed your progress. Coupled with exercise and a healthy diet, the results will come even quicker and with less of a struggle.


One reason why is that drinking large amounts of fluid will keep the body hydrated. Dehydration is what often lurks behind the sensation of the “munchies”, or endless, insatiable snacking. Most people are chronically dehydrated, and mistake the need for fluid as hunger.

Keeping the body properly hydrated with water (not diet sodas, coffee, etc) will provide a sensation of fullness, and redirect the potential grazer’s thoughts from lingering around what else might be edible in the cupboards and refrigerator.


The other benefit of hydration to weight loss efforts involves flushing toxins from the system. Everyone is aware of the perception of jeans and rings feeling a bit tighter after a salty meal. This is because too much sodium results in the body retaining water; also known as uncomfortable bloating and undesirable weight gain. Drinking enough can help the body lose extra fluid weight that is associated with an excess of salt or sodium.


Proper hydration also increases the body’s ability to fight back against illness and infection. H20 boosts the immune system and affords the body the energy to be physically active. In fact, hydration is often an underlying cause of fatigue- a frequent excuse for the avoidance of exercise emitted from those who live sedentary lifestyles.


It may also hold genuine fat burning properties. Cold water has been shown to temporarily, if not only slightly, increase metabolism. Your body must warm the cool liquid, which requires the use of energy, or calories. Drinking at least the recommended 64 ounces each day at a cool temperature can burn roughly 75 calories a day. This might not sound like much, but over time, and coupled with other healthy habits, it will make a significant difference in your weight loss efforts.


One might begin to wonder, if it is so essential for easier and faster weight loss, why aren’t there a plethora of infomercials pressing H2O for dropping body fat. Why aren’t more people aware of the least invasive, most healthful way possible to aid fitness efforts? The answer is simple. Diet products are an enormous and booming industry, and there is no money in ordinary water. Businesses have tried to capitalize on it; there are weight loss versions, energy waters, and types that are said to burn calories, but no one is shouting the praises of the pure and natural original. Pharmaceutical companies, pill producing industries, and even family physicians, don’t benefit when their usual patrons turn to a resource that is abundant in nature.

As is true of anything; moderation is key. Too much water can cause health problems and even death. The right amount of fluid will be different for each body, and will likely even vary on a daily basis depending on activity level and other environmental factors.

Talking to a family doctor (as well as using one’s own gauge of bodily comfort and sense of hydration) can aid in establishing the appropriate, healthy amount of water to support weight loss efforts.