Does Drinking Water Help You Burn Calories?

It turns out that drinking water may help you to lose weight by consuming fewer calories and enjoying a boost in metabolism. These things are not enough to constitute an entire weight loss plan, but many people will agree that a little help is worth a whole lot in this department. Here’s what you should know about water consumption and weight loss:

How Does Drinking Water Burn Calories?

Some studies have shown that drinking water provides a small boost in metabolism. The boost is typically brief, however. You can probably expect it to last for about 30 minutes. Here’s how it works. If you drink about a pint of water, you can probably expect to burn about 25 extra calories. Some researchers think this extra calorie burning happens as the result of the body warming the water in your stomach. At just 25 calories, you may not be all that impressed, but consider how you can benefit by drinking two quarts of water daily. You could actually burn an extra 100 calories. Add that to a little dieting and a little exercise, and you’re well on your way to dropping those unwanted pounds.

In addition to the extra calorie burning you can get from drinking more water, you may also benefit in another way. Basically, safe drinking water helps to fill you up, so you’re less likely to overeat and crave junky foods like cakes, cookies, potato chips, and greasy fries. If you’re drinking water, you’re also less likely to drink calorie-laden beverages like colas and lattes. This is a win-win situation, and many diet gurus suggest that dieters drink eight glasses per day.

Now that you know that drinking water does burn calories, you may want to dramatically increase your intake. But be careful doing so. You don’t want to go too far–say an extra gallon per day, as that could lead to an electrolyte imbalance. Sound serious? It really is. This could actually kill you. A few extra cups every day are safe though.