Many health care professionals says that water is an essential nutrient for weight loss.
Water is up to 60% of our body weight, lack of water alters the metabolism of our body. This happens because the body does not have the ability to store additional water. The main functions of water in the body are: transports nutrients, removes toxins from the body, hydrates the skin, helps maintain body temperature and wet ears, mouth and nose. Dehydration can have serious consequences such as weakness, delirium and death.
On the other hand when the water content in the body is very high it can result in headaches, muscle weakness, poor appetite and poor memory.
But, why water is an essential nutrient for weight loss?
Because water can help you lose weight by making you feel full, helps curb food cravings and quenches your thirst. Also, water flushes toxins from your system, increases metabolism and assists your body in keeping your cells hydrated. People who drink more water tend to stay full longer and are less likely to eat.
More reasons? If you are normally a soda or juice drinker, and you replace them with water, drinking water can help you lose weight, partially because you are replacing some calories. There are a lot of processes that go on in your body that requires it. If you do not drink enough water your body does not function at an optimal level, which makes weight loss difficult.
Even more reason? Lack of water gives you headaches and constipation. If you do not drink enough water every day, your body may be storing water and fat that you do not need. If you become dehydrated your body is more likely to store fat. Because water naturally helps to suppresses your appetite, and will help you lose weight and burn fat.
The Water Resource Center in the University of Minnesota states that you need water for your body to burn fat. Without water, your kidneys cannot do their job properly and your liver must pitch in to help. While it is helping the kidneys, your liver cannot burn as much fat, so some of the fat that would normally be used as fuel gets stored in your body instead. The water is stored between the cells and shows up as extra weight. Drinking more water lets the liver get back to its own job of turning fat into fuel. When your body gets enough water, the stored water is released, so the more water you drink, the less you will eat.
Then, what is the necessary dosage? Experts recommend that during the day take 2 to 3 liters of water. But sweat when you exercise increases the need of water. For what is recommended before exercises take 1 to 2 glasses and during exercising drink only when thirsty and to drink as much as you sweat. The way to know whether you drank too much during a long training routine is if your weight afterward is more than it was before your exercise.
A glass of water before eating will help you feel full and eat less. Drink at least 8, eight-ounce glasses of water every day. If you are overweight, drink an additional glass for every twenty-five pounds of excess weight.
