The Pros and Cons of the Water Diet
The water diet, also known as the cold water diet, is not a traditional diet in that it does not restrict foods or calories in any way. The water diet is not to be confused with the lemon water diet which is more of a detox diet and does restrict food. Instead, on the water diet, individuals are instructed to consume at least 64 ounces of water daily in addition to their normal fluid intake. Individuals have reported weight loss of 10 pounds a month by following the water diet to lose weight. In this guide we’ll take a look at how the water diet works as well as the pros and cons.
How the Water Diet Works
There are three main principles behind the “science” of the water diet.
- By drinking cold water, your body needs to expend energy to heat the water to body temperature. The more often you drink cold water, the more calories will be expended
- Drinking water before and after meals will help you to feel full which will act as an appetite suppressant.
- Drinking enough water to gain optimum hydration will release stored water and also help your liver process fat more efficiently.
Pros and Cons of the Water Diet
- Pros: Drinking water, regardless of temperature, is an essential key to losing weight. Our bodies need water for all our cellular functions. Fat cannot be broken down or processed properly without water. Staying hydrated can help with weight loss as the body will retain water when not enough is consumed on a daily basis.The kidneys need water to perform, and when not enough water is present the liver will kick in to assist the kidneys. However, when that happens the liver cannot do it’s job properly – namely, metabolizing fat. By increasing water intake weight loss is more likely to occur.
- Cons: Water diet weight loss will occur initially as the body sheds stored water, however once adequate hydration is attained weight loss will likely diminish. In the first week, expect additional trips to the restroom as your body flushes stored water. Also, there is no scientific evidence to support the idea that drinking cold water will increase the number of calories burned to a significant enough degree to cause weight loss. Another downside is that long-term, significant weight loss is unlikely to occur without additional lifestyle changes such as incorporating exercise and modifying eating habits.
Drinking ample water is a good idea no matter what your weight loss goals are. Water is an essential ingredient to good health. Why not drink at least 64 ounces of pure, clean water every day for a month and see what kind of difference it makes? Worst case you’ll shed some water weight and achieve optimum hydration.
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