You’ve probably heard the advice a million times: Drink eight cups of water a day. But “one size fits all” doesn’t apply when it comes to hydration. If you eat a lot of fruit, vegetables, and dairy, and are in good shape, you probably don’t need that much water. On the other hand, if you’re overweight or tend to get most of your calories from salty, processed food, sticking to those 64 daily ounces could actually help to augment your weight loss. Here’s how:
1. IT COULD LOWER YOUR BMI: A 2010 study review in Nutrition Today linked H2O intake with lowered body mass index. Turns out most guys tend to drink the same amount of liquid each day, so if you make an effort to drink water, you will end up drinking fewer calorie-laden beverages.
2. YOU’LL BURN MORE FAT: The review also noted that you can burn up to 40% more fat after drinking water compared with a higher-calorie beverage. Drinking water with a meal also helps to bring insulin levels back to normal two hours earlier than if you drink something with calories.
3. IT’LL HELP YOU EAT LESS: Drinking 16 ounces of water before a meal can significantly cut the calories you wolf down. A 12-week study found that those who drank two glasses of water before very meal ate less and lost 44% more weight compared with the control group’s calorie-laden drinks.
4. WATER FIGHTS HANGOVERS: Staying hydrated is the best way not to feel lousy the day after a party. Drink at least a couple of glasses of water in the hours leading up to your event, then do a one-to-one match of water to alcohol once you start imbibing.
5. IT’LL IMPROVE YOUR GAME: Even a couple hours of touch football on the beach can put you at risk for dehydration and slow you down. A 2011 study found that sweating away just 2% of your body’s water content drastically affects athletic performance.
Cary Castagna
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