Don’t Drown: Water Won’t Sink Your Fat.

 

It’s common enough to be deluged by information when attempting weight-loss, and one piece of oft-heard advice is to drink a lot of water.  There’s no evidence for it according to Beth Kitchin, an assistant professor of nutrition sciences at the University of Alabama.   “I’m not saying drinking water isn’t good,” Kitchin says, “but only one study showed people who drank more water burned a few extra calories, and it was only a couple of extra calories a day.”

Kitchin adds another water myth to the junk pile: the advice to drink eight 8-ounce glasses a day.

“Yes, people do need to get fluids, but it does not have to be water,” Kitchin said.  “There’s no evidence that it melts away fat.”

Certainly water is the best hydrator, but fluid replacement can take many forms, even coffee and other caffeinated beverages hydrate.  “When you drink coffee, your body is retaining much of that fluid – especially for people who are habituated to drinking caffeine, as the body adapts, resulting in a reduced loss of fluids.”

Kitchin also addressed a belief that the temperature of drinking water has a beneficial fat-loss effect.

“You will hear that ice-cold water helps burn extra calories,” Kitchin said.  “While there may be a few extra calories lost, it won’t be nearly enough to make a dent in your weight-loss endeavours.”

Kitchin added that the consumption of fewer calories is the only proven way to lose pounds.  She also recommended that people eat more fruit, vegetables and soups, food items that have a high water content, maybe even enough to tear you away from the tap.

Source:  University of Alabama News Release