The Importance of Drinking Water to Lose Weight

Diet pills and cleanse programs aimed at weight loss flood the consumer market. You may consider purchasing one of these products to reach your fitness goals. However, losing weight could be as simple as increasing your water intake.

Benefit

• Water suppresses the appetite. If you drink a glass of water before eating, you will likely eat less. Water also flushes away waste and hydrates your body. That speeds the body's metabolism and encourages weight loss, according to EverydayHealth.com.

Amount

• Drink a total of 64 to 72 ounces of water each day, advises the Mayo Clinic. Consume 16 ounces before each meal. Research presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society indicates this habit, along with cutting back on food portions, promotes lasting weight loss.

Warning

• Do not overdo it. When you exercise, you lose sodium through sweat. Excess water consumption can dilute the sodium content of your blood, causing a condition called hyponatremia. In extreme cases, it can lead to rapid swelling of the brain, coma and death, according to the Mayo Clinic.