Hi,

Thanks for your question.

First and foremost, water is essential for our bodies to function properly. Most of the chemical reactions in our bodies require water, so in order for our bodies vital processes to occur efficiently we must ensure we are well hydrated. I've outlined below a few reasons why water is important.

Dehydration

We lose water every day through processes such as sweating, breathing and urinating, so we must ensure we replace this water to avoid becoming dehydrated. Dehydration can cause certain side effects such as fatigue, light headedness and a lack of concentration, which can affect our ability to functions efficiently. Dehydration will also cause you to feel thirsty, which can often be mistaken for hunger, so ensuring we are well hydrated is important to avoid unnecessary snacking.

Digestion

Water is important for digestive health and can help prevent constipation and feeling bloated. If we do not take on enough water our digestive processes can become a bit sluggish, which can leave us feeling uncomfortable and a little lethargic.

Weight loss

There has been some evidence linking water intake with weight loss, however the evidence is not consistent. So currently there is not enough scientific evidence to suggest that drinking water is directly related to weight loss. Therefore drinking plenty of water will not cause you to lose weight if it is not done alongside a calorie controlled diet, but it should be consumed as part of a healthy balanced diet to ensure our bodies are healthy and functioning efficiently.

It is recommended that we try to drink at least eight 250ml glasses of water per day to ensure we replace the fluid we lose. Plain water is the best choice, but teas, coffee, no added sugar fruit squash, milk and sparkling water all count. So if you do find it difficult to drink lots of plain water, just try to up your intake of these other drinks.

There is an article with additional nformation on this in the Resources section - here is a link to the article:

http://www.nutracheck.co.uk/Library/Exercise/why-drink-more-water_1.html

So in summary, although water is not directly linked with causing weight loss it is important for the healthy functioning of our body, and should therefore be consumed in adequate amounts each day.

I hope this helps to answer your question and please get in touch if you need anything further..

Kind regards

Emma

Nutracheck Nutritionist