Get in the Know About H20

The importance of drinking enough water has been a frequent health topic for decades. Staying hydrated can alleviate a number of ailments, including headaches, mood swings, heart palpitations, colds and allergies, skin conditions, digestion and infections. Water flushes out toxins and keeps your muscles, brain, and heart healthy. It is literally the stuff of life. But did you know drinking water can actually help you lose weight?

Dehydration Preventive
Although it seems illogical, not drinking enough water can cause you to retain water. Your body senses that it’s dehydrated and holds onto water in cells throughout your body. This retained water can add several pounds to your total weight and make you look puffy and bloated.

Appetite Suppressant
Studies have shown that older people who drink two cups of water before eating will eat less than those who drank no water before the meal. It’s hypothesized that their stomachs felt fuller from the water and therefore they didn’t eat as much.

No Calories
Drinking water is a far better choice than any other beverage. There are no calories, no insulin-spiking sugar, no caffeine, no alcohol, no fat and no carbs.

How Much is Enough?
While there is no scientific answer for how much water a person actually needs per day, the general recommendation is eight 8-ounce glasses. Obese people may need more. You’ll know if you’re drinking enough water because your urine will be pale yellow or clear. Darker urine means you’re not getting enough. If you substantially increase your water intake and begin to lose weight without making other changes, you’ll know you were retaining water.

What About Working Out?
If you start a workout program, you’ll need to add more water to your daily intake to make up for what you lose in perspiration. Medical experts say that you should drink 15 – 20 ounces of water an hour or two before your workout, another 8 ounces every 15 minutes after you begin, and another 8 ounces when you’re finished.

You can also get water from your food. Choose juicy fruits and vegetables like watermelon, cucumber and celery as snacks. Staying hydrated can improve your overall health and be an effective, easy habit to acquire in your quest to lose or maintain a healthy weight.