5 Ways Drinking More Water Can Help You Lose Weight

Written by
Joan Hodges 
No food promising weight loss can compete with the waist-cinching effects of water.

With its de-bloating benefits and magical powers as a whole-body cleanser, drinking water can help you shed unwanted weight—and improve your health overall.

Here are a few reasons water could be your ticket to weight loss, plus the other benefits your body will derive from drinking nature's best beverage.
Boosts Brain Function
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Even a small amount of dehydration can alter your brain function, leading to impaired memory, mood and concentration. It's no secret that brain function is also incredibly important in making sound decisions with food and exercise—after all, weight loss is a physical and mental game.

Keep your brain healthy and hydrated, and you're more likely to choose those cut up veggies and fruit over an empty-calorie snack.
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Increases Energy
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Need an energy boost to get your butt to the gym? Water is the answer! Drinking more water will help your body feel energized enough to get moving, which is key for sustained weight loss. Plus, time in the gym will improve your overall mental and physical well-being, too.

Sleepiness can even be a sign of dehydration (if you're already getting all your Zzz's), so spread out your water intake throughout the day to sustain energy, particularly before and after workouts.
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Reduces Hunger
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Drinking more water boosts your metabolism and increases satiety, both of which will help you lose weight. Particularly for middle-aged and older adults, drinking water before a meal can reduce the overall food consumption within that meal. The same goes for starting off the day with a glass or two of water—it kicks off your metabolism!

The catch? Stay away from those sugary beverages while attempting to consume more water. They can sabotage your hunger signals.
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Helps Maintain Weight Loss
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Once you've lost the weight, the next challenge is maintaining it. Studies on water consumption show that people who continue to consume mostly water instead of sugary drinks tend to keep the weight off and stave off any natural weight gain that comes with aging.

Replacing other drinks with water or even adding just one extra cup of water per day can help prevent small amounts of future weight gain. Slow and steady wins the race on this one.
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Fuels Muscles
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Muscles are important for keeping the metabolic wheels turning in the body. The more muscle you build, the more easily fat is burned. Water acts as a lubricant throughout the body to keep things moving. If you don't have the proper protein and electrolytes as a foundation, that hour spent lifting weights at the gym won't be a very productive one.
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About the Author

Joan Hodges ACTIVE.com Contributor
Joan Hodges writes nutrition articles for ACTIVE.com. As a health and wellness blogger based in Dallas, Texas, she has been inspired by her own journey of full mental and physical recovery. Joan is a devout yogi, dog lover and self-love advocate. You can read about her health journey here.