Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown that a decrease in water causes fat deposits to increase, while an increase in water can actually reduce fat deposits.
The best treatment for fluid retention is to drink more water. As you drink less water, your body sees this as a threat to survival and will begin to store water in extracellular places (outside the cells). This is when you start to feel “bloated”. If you have a constant problem with water retention, you may be consuming too much salt. The more salt you eat, the more water your body holds on to dilute it.
The more overweight you are, the more water you need. This is because you will have a larger metabolic load. Water gives muscles their natural ability to contract and helps to maintain proper muscle tone.
It also helps to remove and flush out waste from the body.
Water can help with relieving constipation. If the body doesn’t get enough water, it will take it from sources in the body like the colon. If you drink enough water, normal bowel function will return.
How much water should you drink? The average person needs eight 8 oz. glasses every day. An overweight person needs one extra glass for every 25 pounds of excess weight. You should also increase your water intake if you are exercising or if the weather is hot and dry.
Warm water is absorbed into the system more quickly than cold water. Evidence has suggested that your body will actually burn calories in order to warm the water to your body’s natural temperature.
What are the benefits if you drink the proper amount of water your body requires to function at its best level?
- Stored water is lost, relieving any fluid retention.
- More fat is used up for energy because the liver’s load becomes lighter.
- Natural thirst returns.
- Cravings for carbohydrate foods decrease.
