Want to Lose Weight? Drinking Water Before Meals May Help

Posted: May 17 in Post-Bariatric Diet by Staff

On average, the human body is made up of about 55 percent to 78 percent water. In order for your body to function properly, you need between one and seven liters of water every day to avoid becoming dehydrated. Keep in mind that the exact amount you need depends on a number of factors, such as humidity, temperature, and amount of physical activity. For this reason it is important to stay hydrated while being outside in Naples or Fort Myers during the summer heat.

A new study suggests that drinking water prior to eating a meal may help older folks lose weight, which is an important finding for those considering weight loss surgery in Naples or Fort Myers, Florida. The study findings, presented at an annual meeting of the American Chemical Society, found that both older and middle-aged adults who drank two cups of water before eating consumed fewer calories than those that didn’t; they also lost more weight.

For the study, researchers separated the participants into two groups of overweight and obese women and men aged 55 to 75. One group followed a low-calorie, low-fat diet. The other group followed the same diet, but drank two cups of water before each of their three meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

After three months of participating in the study, the people who drank water before eating meals lost 15.5 pounds compared to the people who didn’t consumer water, who lost 11 pounds. This is almost a 30 percent difference, which is substantial. The subjects were followed even after this 12 week study period, where researchers noted that the people who continued to drink water before eating kept the weight off, and lost another 1.5 pounds on average. The study authors believe that it takes the stomach longer to empty in older individuals, which can help them feel fuller longer.

Keep in mind that people who are not able to lose weight through diet and exercise, and are morbidly obese, may need to seek additional help, such as weight loss surgery.