According to a research (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, December, 2003), drinking two cups of water increases metabolic rate by 30 percent in just 30 to 40 minutes. This is because water arouses the sympathetic nervous system which causes increase in metabolic rate. Researchers concluded that an average of eight cups of water a day would increase caloric expenditure by 100 calories which is an excellent weight loss solution.

Experts’ advice is to drink half your weight in ounces daily. For example, if you weigh 140 pounds, you should drink at least seventy ounces or approximately nine cups of water daily. This amount of water is the standard amount your body needed for normal daily hydration. For those who also exercise, additional amount of water is needed aside from the mentioned amount. To prevent hydration, it is advised to drink one and a half cups of water thirty minutes before exercise. The best source of water is portable bottled water or tap water. Make sure to stay away from caffeine whenever possible because it speeds up your metabolism and dehydrate you.

There are also researchers that proved the advantage of drinking your water cold. This is because cold water could burn up more calories heating up the body temperature. Many successful dieters found water as their key component to weight loss by using it as an effective appetite suppressant. Renowned psychologist Kelly Brownell, Ph.D., who had been making studies on weight loss developed a behavioral-modification program for weight loss which includes drinking water as one of effective strategies.

Aside from making you feel full, water as a healthy, non-caloric beverage provides a great alternative to cans of soda. Soda is one delicious culprit of weight gains. It’s one of the best thirst quencher but come with hundreds of calories. Filling up your body with water instead of soda is a great way to cut down calories. Switching from a regular 12-ounce of Coke to water can make a big difference, calorie-wise. An average of 1,000 calories can be eliminated by switching to drinking water from a Coke drinker in a week (that is for somone who drinks 5 regulars and 5 diets). It’s a one-third of a pound already and for a weight loss program, it matters BIG.

Water also flushes out your internal systems. Fat soluble are environmental contaminants that enters the human body and can be there to stay unless you find a way to flush them away. However, during weight loss diet, these fats are mobilized and instigated to get out from your system. Fat soluble are dangerous to your bloodstream as they usually remain sitting dormant for decades or more. When these happen it can slow down your metabolism, leading to health complications. Water like soluble fibers (fruits and vegetables) is one key of flushing these toxins out of your body.

A well hydrated body helps our kidneys and liver to function well. Water helps to eliminate fat and other toxins from our body. On the other hand, a dehydrated body causes our liver and kidney to work overtime – because our body has less ability of removing fat fast. Thus, it is essential to drink plenty of water to keep your cells well hydrated and healthy. Drinking plenty of water to maintain good health for our liver is often called “promote more-effecient and more-effective protein metabolism. Since one of your goals while your on a weight loss program is to build muscles, the last thing you want to do is slow down protein metabolism. Drinking enough water will help you achieve this.

Don’t drink too much! Drinking too much water can dilute the salt content in your blood and tissue, especially during dieting. Athletes have even died from drinking too much water. You need to find a balance between the amount of water you drink and your intake of salts and electrolytes. And remember water alone is not going to help you lose weight, you need to exercise as well.

Here’s a good video about water and weight loss: