Will drinking water help you lose weight?

Do you believe drinking water will help you lose weight? If you’re nodding furiously right now, you may want to stop…
The myths
There are so many different notions regarding the amount of water we should be drinking each day (is it 7 glasses, 2 litres, different for men and women?!). Then there's the myth that drinking cold water will help you slim down. Well, Dr Beth Kitchin – a nutrition expert at the University of Alabama – told the Daily Mail that water is not actually the magical weight loss tool that many people think it to be. She also revealed it was a myth that drinking cold water aids slimming – as its ability to increase calorie burning isn’t sufficient enough to contribute to weight loss.
Her bold statement slightly contradicts previous research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, though, which found drinking two cups of water 20-30 minutes before a meal can help people lose weight by reducing hunger so they then consume fewer calories.
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Our thoughts
Now, I don’t know what you believe, but I sit somewhere in the middle. I never believed water was the secret to a slim body, but I do know you’re more likely to eat food if you’re thirsty, which is why it’s wise to always have a glass of water whenever hunger pangs hit. I also know consuming water before eating does prevent me from over-eating, which certainly helps when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight.
Water also plays a vital role in the overall health and wellbeing of your internal organs and your skin, so you’ll never find me drinking less than the recommended two litres of this liquid goodness each and every single day.
Do you believe drinking water aids weight loss? Or do you think it’s a myth? Do you drink water in an attempt to help prevent over-eating?
245 Member Comments
short answer - yes
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I do it to keep hydrated and healthy
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I think it's a combination of eating healthily and drinking enough water that helps in weight reduction. I have no trouble drinking lots of water in the warmer months but I have to make a conscious effort to keep up the supply during winter.
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I drink a lot. The only way water would help you lose weight is if you WERE drinking sugar-filled soft drinks or lots of fruit juice. Swapping those for water will cut your daily kJs down a lot!
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I’m not sure that water will actually help you lose weight, even if my mother did tell me to drink before meals to stop hunger pangs! Water is essential for overall health. I always know if I haven’t had enough to drink. I feel really flat and lethargic.
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Definitely need to drink more water especially with Summer on its Way so I can stay hydrated I always drink filtered Water. Even cook with Filtered Water as well.
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I have also heard that drinking water gets rid of the toxins that lock fat cells.
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I do notice my weight creeping up when I’m not hydrated enough. I often tend to eat junk food when stressed and find a big glass of water works to stave off cravings.
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I find that drinking water does stave off my hunger. Best is a cucumber - it's mostly water but it's also food!
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I drink ,lots ofwater. I exercise, plus I take a medication that gives me a dry mouth. Of couse I am a frequent toilet user.
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They do say we often eat when we are infact hungry, so always have a glass of water first before eating
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I drink lots of water, but it definitely hasn't helped with weight loss!
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I struggle to drink enough water especially in Winter
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Wish it did, I tend to drink a lot of water and still really struggle with my weight.
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I drink heaps of water, but not to lose weight... Purely so I don't dehydrate and get headaches...
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I agree that we should reach for water before food when those hunger pains hit, plus I like to drink water before breakfast. I try to always have some lemon juice in mine as well. My nanna swore by it & I have heard a lot of things to support that theory over the years. I find if I drink a lot of water I actually weigh more!
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I never believed drinking lots of water made you lose weight but it’s important for your overall health and really great for your skin!
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I definitely found I ate lots less when I drank more water - just kept me fuller.
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Water is the only true thirst quencher
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I do notice I don't feel too well if I'm dehydrated. Sometimes, especially in Winter, I don't manage the recommended 7-8 glasses of water but I do drink a lot of herbal teas.
I also drink a glass of water when I wake up in the morning before breakfast.
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I think its a myth and not healthy personally! Substituting it to get rid of your hunger?
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No it only helps you to keep hydrated but remember excess of water is also very bad.
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Drinking more water does helped me from over snacking. Hence, nothing is more effective than doing exercise and be active.
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I don't think it's so much that drinking water helps you loose weight... I just think being dehydrated probably stops your body from optimal function of any kind. Never hurts to drink lots of water.
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I don't think this has worked for me.
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