When your stomach growls do you give it food, when you may actually just be thirsty? What’s the relationship between water and your metabolism?What does this study actually say?
Suddenly starving? Try drinking some water.
That recommendation isn’t new — but it suddenly got some serious evidence to back it up.
A study of nearly 10,000 adults ages 18 to 64 shows that staying hydrated by drinking water and eating more water-loaded fruits and vegetables could help with weight management, especially if you’re overweight or obese.
“Staying hydrated is good for you no matter what, and our study suggests it may also be linked to maintaining a healthy weight,” said lead author Dr. Tammy Chang, an assistant professor in the department of family medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School. “Our findings suggest that hydration may deserve more attention when thinking about addressing obesity on a population level.”
“I agree with this study,says Ilyse Shapiro, MS, RD, CDN, with private practices in Harrison, NY and Greenwich, CT, Co-Author of Should I Scoop Out My Bagel?: And 99 Other Answers to Your Everyday Diet and Nutrition Questions to Help You Lose Weight, Feel Great, and Live Healthy
. It is very important to stay hydrated on many levels, but it is a key ingredient for those watching their weight. When you are hydrated properly through water, and eating fruits and vegetables with a high water content”
you are less likely to over eat. A lot of people mistake hunger for thirst, so it is important to stay properly hydrated to prevent overeating. If you think you are hungry, try drinking a glass of water and see if the urge passes.”
Being dehydrated can mess with your mental, physical and emotional health. Numerous studies show attention, memory and mood can be damaged, and physical distress such as headaches, constipation and kidney problems can result.
But when it came to weight loss and gain, the science on the role of water has been murky. Some studies found drinking water helped control weight gain, yet other studies showed the opposite. Part of the problem, said Chang, was the way hydration has been measured.
