Physical Wellness

Theory That Drinking Water Aids Weight Loss Debunked

By Christine Hsu | Update Date: Mar 14, 2014 07:39 PM EDT

Getting full by drinking tons of water will not help you lose weight, according to new research.

Experts said that the weight-loss theory of losing weight by drinking water is actually a load of hooey.

"There is very little evidence that drinking water promotes weight loss - it is one of those self-perpetuating myths," nutrition expert Dr. Beth Kitchin of the University of Alabama said in a news release.

"I'm not saying drinking water isn't good - but only one study showed people who drank more water burned a few extra calories, and it was only a couple of extra calories a day," she explained.

Kitchin said that the belief that people should drink at least eight glasses of water a day is also a myth.

"Yes, people do need to get fluids - but it does not have to be water. There's no evidence that it melts away fat or makes you feel fuller, so if you don't like water it's OK," she said.

While water is king when it comes to hydrating the body, other liquids like green tea, coffee and juice are also hydrating, according to Kitchin.

"People think coffee doesn't count, but actually it does," she said. "When you drink coffee, your body is retaining much of that fluid - especially for people who are habituated to drinking caffeine, as the body adapts, resulting in a reduced loss of fluids."

She said that the only proven way to slim down is to consume fewer calories. She recommends that people ate more fruit, vegetables and soups.

According to the Daily Mail, the latest study goes against a 2013 study that suggested drinking two cups of water before a meal promotes weight loss by reducing hunger and calorie consumption.

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