Drinking Water

graphicstock-bottle-of-water-splash-on-a-white-background_HdXQXnu42l_SB_PMYou hear that it’s good to drink water…

You hear that it’s good to drink water. It’s easy to gloss over that recommendation as a token admonishment that doesn’t necessarily translate to measurable results – especially when you’re trying to lose some weight. But here are some facts that you may find encouraging, if not motivating, as far as how you can know that you’re making a difference by keeping your body properly hydrated.

It Boosts Your Metabolism

Metabolism is the rate / efficiency at which you’re converting food into fuel. Water is a big part of this process, hence drinking lots of water keeps this chemical reaction functioning at an optimum level. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found that drinking water increases metabolic rate by 30 percent.

Cold water keeps your body temperature lower and allows you to workout longer and harder. Your body will also burn a nominal amount of calories to warm up the water to a level that it can used. It’s not especially significant, but it’s another reason to appreciate cold water rather than lukewarm water while you train.

Suppresses Your Appetite

It’s not uncommon for a person to think that they’re hungry when they’re actually thirsty. Drinking a glass of water before reaching for something to eat can help to curb unnecessary snacking. In a 2014 study, 50 overweight females drank 500 milliliters (mL) of water 30 minutes before breakfast, lunch, and dinner, in addition to their regular water consumption, for 8 consecutive weeks.

Burns Fat

The process of metabolizing fat is called “lipolysis.” It’s where water molecules interact with triglycerides to create glycerol and fatty acids. Again, water is a key ingredient and you want to make sure you’re drinking enough.

In Addition…

This is from the editors of Shape.com:

Speaking of essential for life…drinking a good amount of water could lower your risk of a heart attack. A six-year study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that people who drank more than five glasses of water a day were 41 percent less likely to die from a heart attack during the study period than those who drank less than two glasses. Bonus: Drinking all that water may reduce cancer risk as well. Research shows that staying hydrated can reduce risk of colon cancer by 45 percent, bladder cancer by 50 percent, and possibly reduce breast cancer risk too.

…and from “Psychology Today

Our brains depend on proper hydration to function optimally. Brain cells require a delicate balance between water and various elements to operate, and when you lose too much water, that balance is disrupted. Your brain cells lose efficiency.

Bottom Line

There’s a lot of information out there and it’s easy to get lost in the minutiae. But the bottom line is you want to be drinking water to keep your body performing at its best. How much? Our application recommends ten 8 oz glasses a day. That’s a good start! Some resources recommend one ounce for every pound of body weight! That’s a lot of water! Wherever you want to start, start! Make a point of keeping yourself hydrated so you can enjoy the benefits that go along with good health on all fronts.

Bring it!


Katie Newman from saunahelper.com has a great piece on Saunas and how people make the mistake of thinking that they’re losing weight by sitting in a sauna for 20 minutes. You do lose water weight, but you gain it right back the moment you start drinking fluids again. But there’s so much more to it than that and it’s a good read – not just for the way it reinforces the importance of staying hydrated, but also how saunas can be used to help accomplish your fitness goals. Click here to read more!

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