Drinking water can boost metabolic rate and people who reported drinking more than 1 L of water a day in a 12 month weight loss study experienced greater weight and fat loss.
Now, the impact of drinking water immediately prior to a meal in individuals trying to lose weight was examined in a randomized controlled trial. The study, by Elizabeth Dennis and colleagues from Virginia Tech, is published in February’s issue of Obesity.
Adults (n = 48; 55-75 years, BMI 25-40) were randomized to a hypocaloric diet + 500 ml water prior to each meal (water group) or hypocaloric diet alone (nonwater group).
During the 12 week intervention period, both groups dropped around 2 BMI points, but the water group lost ~2 kg or 44% more weight than the nonwater group.
Premeal water intake reduced energy intake from an ad libitum meal at base line, but not at 12 weeks.
This randomized controlled trial clearly shows, that in people on a hypocaloric diet, consuming 500 ml water prior to each main meal leads to greater weight loss than a hypocaloric diet alone.
While part of this effect may well be a reduction in meal size following water ingestion other mechanisms are conceivable. Thus, previous studies have suggested that water drinking can increase metabolic rate. Also, people drinking water with their meals may be less likely to drink caloric beverages, thereby further reducing caloric intake.
Whatever the mechanism, regularly drinking 500 ml water prior to every meal may well be an easy and inexpensive way to help manage your weight.
About the Author;
Dr Arya M, Sharma is Professor of Medicine & Chair in Obesity Research and Management at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. He is also the Scientific Director of the Canadian Obesity Network. He has published widely on the management of obesity and related health problems.
For more information on Obesity visit;
http://www.drsharma.ca/
