Did you know that the human brain is consisted of 95% water, lungs are nearly 90% water, and blood is 82% water? It’s no wonder that we are discussing the importance of water for our health and physical fitness. Some studies that are listed below have shown that water, besides being crucial for the exercising process, also encourages weight loss. When combined with a healthy diet and workout routine, water can significantly speed up the needed time for reaching your desired weight. Besides water, which is the single most important liquid for your health, you can add hydration of your body with other foods. In further text, we’ll discuss the significance of water and other hydrating nutrients.
More Water = Less Calories
The secret weapon to boost your weight loss may just be leaking out of your sink. According to a Virginia Tech study, drinking about two cups of water before every meal can help promote weight loss. The participants were divided in two groups.
Both groups followed the same diet, but one of them added the water intake before breakfast, lunch, and dinner. After about three months, the participants of that group had lost in average of 5 pounds more than the other group in the study. They were eating less, because water was making them feel more satisfied, and they didn’t drink high in calories beverages.
Cold Water Increases Amount of Burned Calories
Some studies have shown that increasing the intake of cold water can rev up metabolism, and speed up weight loss. The secret behind it is that when your body is exposed to cold temperatures it burns extra calories to keep itself warm.
A few cups of cold water will contribute minimally to calorie loss, but it can get you started. Drinking iced water may be just the right way to introduce the mechanism for weight loss. Still, you should be moderate in it, because exposure to extreme cold can do more harm than good. I prefer limiting the intake to 8 glasses of ice water per day.
Water Improves Physical Performance
Even the slightest level of dehydration can be a cause of poor athletic performance. Improper and insufficient water intake can lead to decreased strength, reduced endurance, and muscle cramping.
When I was attending personal training in Dubai, I was taught that during just one hour of exercising, a person can lose about 4 cups of water through perspiration (that is crucial for efficient training to compensate this loss of water). When in the gym, you can optimize your hydration by bringing with you a wide mouth water container for constant refilling (before, during, and after working out).
Additional Ways of Hydrating
There are some foods with a high percentage of water that can be an additional source of hydration. Still, it is not advisable to replace your recommended cups of water with these options. Cucumbers are one of the most hydrating vegetables, so mixing a refreshing cucumber smoothie is a good idea. You can also add hydrophilic chia seeds to it. Other high in water content vegetables include: lettuce (consisting of 96 percent of water), zucchini, celery (both containing 95 percent of water), and broccoli (that consists of 91 percent of water).
Certain fruits are also packed with water, these include: cantaloupe, strawberries, and peaches. A slice of watermelon will also quench the thirst, being that it is made up of 92 percent water. Yogurt contains 85 percent water and calcium, protein, and electrolytes, so it is a great choice for healthy breakfast.
Water is critical for your overall health. Through several studies showing that in various examples water is welcomed, but you already know this from reading this article. You can feel when your body is in need of hydration, so insufficient amounts of water can have a negative impact on your physical readiness. Drink and eat your way to a healthier life, and potential weight loss!
Nicole Noel is passionate about travelling and healthy living. She always seeks new adventures and she likes to share everything she learns with others. Follow her on twitter at @noeldnicole
