Should you drink water to lose weight? Many diet books recommend drinking plenty of water to cut hunger and create a feeling of fullness, but drinking water to lose weight is just a myth, or is it?

It is true that drinking water increases metabolic rate slightly and burns more calories. German researchers found that drinking 500 milliliters of water (about 1 pint) increased resting metabolism by 25 percent – about 20 extra calories for 60 minutes. Drinking 50 milliliters of water or 500 milliliters of saline (mildly salty water) had no effect on metabolism.

Water to lose weight Water increases calorie burning by diluting the blood going to the liver (portal circulation) and by turning on the sympathetic nervous system (the body’s fight-or-flight system). The cells have very sensitive methods for regulating fluids in blood, cells and the space between cells.

Water intake activates this system, which increases caloric expenditure. However, drinking extra water has little effect on weight control and could be dangerous. The 20 calories you expend processing the water is equivalent to jogging for 2 minutes.

In addition, excessive water intake can cause hyponatremia (water intoxication), which can be deadly. This study was very interesting, but was of little practical value for losing weight. [sources: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Fitness RX]