How much of a help is drinking a lot of water to lose fat ?

[-Mark-]

As the title says.

[nlite2000]

As the title says.

Its benefits are overblown. Don't drink calories, and listen to your thirst.

[jsmoor09]

Its benefits are overblown. Don't drink calories, and listen to your thirst.

So, Obey your thirst, but no calories. Diet Sprite ftw!

[-Mark-]

I will make sure to obey my thirst

,but what are its benefits to lose fat ? why does it help in fat loss ?

[BigRoberts]

I'm not sure if this is broscience, but i think the concept of drinking lots of water, is because if you drink water your body does not retain as much water, so you will be lighter on the scales as opposed to losing fat. Not sure if thats accurate though.

[jnwaco]

From what I've read, it's essential.

Someone more knowledgable can correct the following if it's not right, but it's what I've read form multiple sources:

The liver processes fat (or is a large part of the process of metabolizing fat). Water is required in this process to help disolve the fat to convert it to energy. When you don't drink enough water, the liver also has to do double duty and pick up slack for the kidneys, so less fat can be metabolized. If your body is short of water, it will hold on to as much water as it can, sort of the way the body holds on to fat if you hang out in starvation mode too long.

Water is also required for building muscle, which indirectly helps you burn fat, so you need water for those processes as well.

[jsmoor09]

I will make sure to obey my thirst

,but what are its benefits to lose fat ? why does it help in fat loss ?

Thirst and hunger use similar neural inputs, so a lot of times when you feel hungry, you're actually thirsty. But, since you think you're hungry--you reach for calories instead of water.

[Mightymuff]

Thirst and hunger use similar neural inputs, so a lot of times when you feel hungry, you're actually thirsty. But, since you think you're hungry--you reach for calories instead of water.

I have never experienced this. Hunger and thirst are 2 completely different feelings. It's also often suggested to drink lots of water when hungry but i've never found it works as an appetite suppressant.

[nlite2000]

From what I've read, it's essential.

Someone more knowledgable can correct the following if it's not right, but it's what I've read form multiple sources:

The liver processes fat (or is a large part of the process of metabolizing fat). Water is required in this process to help disolve the fat to convert it to energy. When you don't drink enough water, the liver also has to do double duty and pick up slack for the kidneys, so less fat can be metabolized. If your body is short of water, it will hold on to as much water as it can, sort of the way the body holds on to fat if you hang out in starvation mode too long.

Water is also required for building muscle, which indirectly helps you burn fat, so you need water for those processes as well.

It also is essential to drink water so you don't die of thirst.

[jsmoor09]

I have never experienced this. Hunger and thirst are 2 completely different feelings. It's also often suggested to drink lots of water when hungry but i've never found it works as an appetite suppressant.

That's the misinterpretation. By the time you actually feel parched, you're in a super mild form of dehydration. Sometimes you're honest to goodness hungry, and water alone isn't going to fix that.

But, eating WITH meals, lowers food intake. You may need to give it a few minutes after you finished your first portion, but I've always found if I still feel hungry, a glass of water and 5 minutes and I'm almost always full.

[Roundheya]

That depends on just how much ice water you consume. To heat 64 ounces of ice water, hour body must exPend 40-50 calories, I can't remember the exact number. It simPle physics. Eating ice does expend energy. As your body has to heat said water, this of course takes energy. Same concept as people who live in an extremely cold climate burn more calories at rest.

[nlite2000]

"Very, Very Small Effect"

The researchers write that up to 70% of the increase in metabolism, "cannot be attributed to the heating of the ingested water," but exercise physiologist Daniel Moser, PhD, tells WebMD that it is unclear from this small study if this is the case.

"Larger studies are clearly needed to confirm this extremely modest weight-loss effect," he tells WebMD.

Nutritionist and American Dietetic Association spokeswoman Leslie Bonci, MPH-RD, says even if the findings are confirmed the clinical implications are slight.

"Obviously people are looking for ways to increase metabolism, but this is an very, very, small effect," she tells WebMD. "We are talking about just a few calories a day."

Bonci says the standard weight-loss plan dictates encouraging people to drink more water stems from the belief that the liquid fills the gut to make people feel fuller.

"Some plans say that drinking water flushes fat out of your system, which is absolutely ridiculous," she says. "

[jsmoor09]

"Very, Very Small Effect"

The researchers write that up to 70% of the increase in metabolism, "cannot be attributed to the heating of the ingested water," but exercise physiologist Daniel Moser, PhD, tells WebMD that it is unclear from this small study if this is the case.

"Larger studies are clearly needed to confirm this extremely modest weight-loss effect," he tells WebMD.

Nutritionist and American Dietetic Association spokeswoman Leslie Bonci, MPH-RD, says even if the findings are confirmed the clinical implications are slight.

"Obviously people are looking for ways to increase metabolism, but this is an very, very, small effect," she tells WebMD. "We are talking about just a few calories a day."

Bonci says the standard weight-loss plan dictates encouraging people to drink more water stems from the belief that the liquid fills the gut to make people feel fuller.

"Some plans say that drinking water flushes fat out of your system, which is absolutely ridiculous," she says. "

^ I've been making a point to get 64 ounces a day, and I'm certainly flushing something

[nlite2000]

^ I've been making a point to get 64 ounces a day, and I'm certainly flushing something

You're more than covered--remember there is water in the food you eat too. I'm not trying to discourage people from drinking water, but the "Drink at least a gallon a day bro!" thing is silly, and is really only going to make you pee more.

[jnwaco]

"Very, Very Small Effect" The researchers write that up to 70% of the increase in metabolism, "cannot be attributed to the heating of the ingested water," but exercise physiologist Daniel Moser, PhD, tells WebMD that it is unclear from this small study if this is the case.
"Larger studies are clearly needed to confirm this extremely modest weight-loss effect," he tells WebMD.
Nutritionist and American Dietetic Association spokeswoman Leslie Bonci, MPH-RD, says even if the findings are confirmed the clinical implications are slight.
"Obviously people are looking for ways to increase metabolism, but this is an very, very, small effect," she tells WebMD. "We are talking about just a few calories a day."
Bonci says the standard weight-loss plan dictates encouraging people to drink more water stems from the belief that the liquid fills the gut to make people feel fuller.
"Some plans say that drinking water flushes fat out of your system, which is absolutely ridiculous," she says. "

That does a good job of knocking out some bad science, but still doesn't address the fact that you do need water for proper bodily functions. Why let a lack of water be a limiting factor in how efficiently your body operates? Bonci's article doesn't address some of the other reasons for staying hydrated.

[nlite2000]

That does a good job of knocking out some bad science, but still doesn't address the fact that you do need water for proper bodily functions. Why let a lack of water be a limiting factor in how efficiently your body operates? Bonci's article doesn't address some of the other reasons for staying hydrated.

Who is saying you don't need water for proper bodily function? That's pretty much a given. You die of thirst quicker than you die of hunger. We are composed mostly of water. ETC ETC
The thirst mechanism does fine for ensuring one is adequately hydrated.

[jnwaco]

Who is saying you don't need water for proper bodily function? That's pretty much a given. You die of thirst quicker than you die of hunger. We are composed mostly of water. ETC ETC
The thirst mechanism does fine for ensuring one is adequately hydrated.

By the same token, who's talking about dying of thirst, either? Only you. So I suppose the question is what is the right amount. That I don't know. Not everyone feels thirsty when they're slightly dehydrated. Not everyone feels the same level of hunger cravings when fasting, either. But whatever.

[nlite2000]

By the same token, who's talking about dying of thirst, either? Only you. So I suppose the question is what is the right amount. That I don't know. Not everyone feels thirsty when they're slightly dehydrated. Not everyone feels the same level of hunger cravings when fasting, either. But whatever.

The "right amount" is the 8 glasses of water daily for the average sized person. You're going to know if you aren't getting that, because you'll get powerfully thirsty. Then you'll drink something. Voila.

People don't have to drink insane amounts of water, as prescribed by various fitness myths and so-called gurus. If people can lose fat without doing things like this, or slavishly eating only "clean foods" I think it's important that they know that. Especially when googling "how to lose weight" is eventually going to convince you that you have to have a diet consisting of egg whites, brown rice and skinless chicken, that "bad" "white" carbs are going to destroy your insulin, that High Fructose Corn Syrup is an evil chemical designed by rich white men to make poor people fat instead of just another simple sugar, while guzzling far more water than you need.

[RippedLaw]

Experts and theories aside I simply drink water to quench thirst and avoid drinking my calories. Plus it makes me feel better. I don't think everyone needs the same amount of water; just listen to your body and drink it throughout the day.

[SteveFromNY]

Experts and theories aside I simply drink water to quench thirst and avoid drinking my calories. Plus it makes me feel better. I don't think everyone needs the same amount of water; just listen to your body and drink it throughout the day.

same here...i actually like drinking a LOT of water as it helps (obviously) quench my thirst, and somewhat curb my hunger. I'd gotten used to drinking a sip of water with every bite of food and it's helped tremendously.

[hollowhead]

So, Obey your thirst, but no calories. Diet Sprite ftw!

^^ not this. Thirst is the last sign if dehydration.

[nlite2000]

Experts and theories aside I simply drink water to quench thirst and avoid drinking my calories. Plus it makes me feel better. I don't think everyone needs the same amount of water; just listen to your body and drink it throughout the day.

ding ding ding

[Roundheya]

Physics isn't bro science. Heat is energy. Your body must transfer heat to the water to equalize the temp. If it isn't a large quantity of ice water, it WOULD be just a few calories. But seeing as how my piss isn't 33 degrees, and my stomach is more insulated than 99% of the people on here... The laws of physics are simple... Energy is being used to heat that water. Using simple heat transfer it takes somewhere between 40-50 calories of energy to heat water from 33 degrees to 98 depending On the mineral content of the water.

Not bro science.... Science.

Do I think or body is as inefficient as a hot plate, negative, but calories are being used.

[LulzYeah]

So, conclusion = water doesn't increase your metabolism thus doesn't help much in your weight loss?

Drink water to avoid water loss. Water loss leads too a shocking decrease in weight which gives you a bad impression and expectation of your weight loss journey.

[jsmoor09]

Physics isn't bro science. Heat is energy. Your body must transfer heat to the water to equalize the temp. If it isn't a large quantity of ice water, it WOULD be just a few calories. But seeing as how my piss isn't 33 degrees, and my stomach is more insulated than 99% of the people on here... The laws of physics are simple... Energy is being used to heat that water. Using simple heat transfer it takes somewhere between 40-50 calories of energy to heat water from 33 degrees to 98 depending On the mineral content of the water.

Not bro science.... Science.

Do I think or body is as inefficient as a hot plate, negative, but calories are being used.

You use just over 1 calorie/ounce of ice water.

It takes 1 calorie (little calorie, not Kcal) to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water 1 degree C. This is definition.

8 ounces of water=~237 g.

We want to go from 0 (Frozen) to ~37 (body temp).
237X37=8,732 little calories=8.7 Calories.

This is all rough, your ice water isn't all frozen, body temperature maybe isn't exactly 37, but you aren't burning 40-50 calories/glass.

[Roundheya]

You use just over 1 calorie/ounce of ice water.

It takes 1 calorie (little calorie, not Kcal) to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water 1 degree C. This is definition.

8 ounces of water=~237 g.

We want to go from 0 (Frozen) to ~37 (body temp).
237X37=8,732 little calories=8.7 Calories.

This is all rough, your ice water isn't all frozen, body temperature maybe isn't exactly 37, but you aren't burning 40-50 calories/glass.

Was that to prove me wrong or right? Lol

8 ounces... 8.7 calories... 64 ounces 8 times the original amount?

I don't know about the rest of you, but the smallest container I drink water out of is 72 ounces. I drink it to get it down... And I'm trying to get to 18 litres a day. Improves elasticity of skin... Which since I'm losing fat, Im desperately worried about...

[Electricheadd]

As the title says.

Stay hydrated, drinking pure water is not necessary but drinking enough liquid is. You can get your water from coffee, tea, diet coke, milk or cool aid if that's your thing. I generally try and aim for 64oz of liquid each day sometimes a bit more if I'm really sweating.

[jsmoor09]

Was that to prove me wrong or right? Lol

8 ounces... 8.7 calories... 64 ounces 8 times the original amount?

I don't know about the rest of you, but the smallest container I drink water out of is 72 ounces. I drink it to get it down... And I'm trying to get to 18 litres a day. Improves elasticity of skin... Which since I'm losing fat, Im desperately worried about...

My point was it's just a small amount.

[Kamapuaa]

I don't know about the rest of you, but the smallest container I drink water out of is 72 ounces. I drink it to get it down... And I'm trying to get to 18 litres a day. Improves elasticity of skin... Which since I'm losing fat, Im desperately worried about...

What? 18 liters??? That's absurd.

Sorry to be a bully, but you are 343 lbs. You should adopt the George Costanza attitude. You've demonstrated that your own opinions and instincts on being healthy are not to be trusted, and you should learn to ignore them, and do the complete opposite. Follow the standard groupthink on this BBS, follow broscience if you want. It's going to be better than your own natural instincts.

[Roundheya]

What? 18 liters??? That's absurd.

Sorry to be a bully, but you are 343 lbs. You should adopt the George Costanza attitude. You've demonstrated that your own opinions and instincts on being healthy are not to be trusted, and you should learn to ignore them, and do the complete opposite. Follow the standard groupthink on this BBS, follow broscience if you want. It's going to be better than your own natural instincts.

You're right, you figured out lower calories means you lose weight. You're a genius.

Tell you what, find one thing I've said that's actually wrong and get back at me. Until then I'll keep losing weight and having skin that a 12 year old Grecian would die for.

As for the massive water consumption, a habit that carries over from actually doing real work when I'm not in school. I've consumed eight liters over the course of a shift at a previous job, didn't pee once, and gained zero pounds. This is on a digital packing scale accurate in ounces.

I ignored fitness rules for years due to laziness and depression, still working on the lazy part lol