Debunking water weight loss myths

While drinking water is important, University of Alabama a nutrition expert says it’s not the magic bullet to weight loss.

Water weight loss myths

"There is very little evidence that drinking water promotes weight loss; it is one of those self-perpetuating myths," said Beth Kitchin, Ph.D., R.D., assistant professor of nutrition sciences. "I'm not saying drinking water isn't good; but only one study showed that people who drank more water burned a few extra calories, and it was only a couple of extra calories a day."

Myth #1: You should drink eight glasses of water a day

Kitchin saysthat another water myth is the consumption rule: eight 236 millilitre glasses of water per day.

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

How to stay hydrated when you don’t like water

While Kitchin says that water is the best hydrator, fluid replacement does not have to be in the form of water. For those who do not like to drink water, Kitchin suggests:

• Drinking a diet soda or green tea

• Mixing mineral water with juice

• Adding a low-calorie powdered beverage mix to water

Myth #2: Drinking coffee doesn’t count

Kitchin says coffee and other caffeinated beverages do hydrate.

"People think coffee doesn't count, but actually it does," Kitchin 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."

Myth #3: Drinking iced water helps burn more calories

A final water myth Kitchin wants to put to rest is that the temperature of drinking water affects weight loss chances.

"You will hear that ice-cold water helps burn extra calories," Kitchin said. "While there may be a few extra calories lost, it won't be nearly enough to make a dent in your weight-loss endeavours."

If losing weight is the goal, Kitchin suggests trying long-running weight management programmes based on real research.

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