This might happen because it’s easy for the body to mistake thirst for hunger ( 11). The amount was incremental but could add up over time ( 10).ĭrinking water about a half hour before meals can also reduce the number of calories you end up consuming. Researchers in another older study estimated that drinking 68 ounces (2 liters) in one day increased energy expenditure by about 23 calories per day due to a thermogenic response, or faster metabolism. ( 8).Īnother review of studies found that chronic dehydration was associated with obesity, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease ( 9). There are many claims that drinking more water may reduce body weight by increasing your metabolism and curbing your appetite.Īccording to research, drinking more water than usual correlated to a decrease in body weight and body composition scores. Mild dehydration caused by exercise or heat can have negative effects on both your physical and mental performance.ĭoes drinking a lot of water help you lose weight? This usually happens when you’re sweating a lot or in a very warm room and not drinking enough water. Losing 1 percent of body weight might not seem like a lot, but it’s a significant amount of water to lose. A clinical study on older, healthy men reported that just a 1 percent loss of body water reduced their muscle strength, power, and endurance ( 7). Dehydration occurs when your body loses more water than you consume and can cause symptoms including fatigue and headache.

One older study in females showed that a fluid loss of 1.36 percent after exercise impaired mood and concentration and increased the frequency of headaches ( 5).Ī more recent study in China that followed 12 male university students found that not drinking water for 36 hours had noticeable effects on fatigue, attention and focus, reaction speed, and short-term memory ( 6).Įven mild dehydration can reduce physical performance. Many people claim that if you don’t stay hydrated throughout the day, your energy levels and brain function start to suffer. Many factors affect how much water you need to stay healthy such as your health, activity, and environment.ĭoes water intake affect energy levels and brain function? Your body is doing the work for two (or more), after all. Pregnant or breastfeeding: If you’re pregnant or nursing your baby, you’ll need to drink extra water to stay hydrated.Some medications like diuretics can also make you lose water. If you have a health condition like diabetes you will also need more water. Your health: If you have an infection or a fever, or if you lose fluids through vomiting or diarrhea, you will need to drink more water.If you exercise or do any intense activity, you will need to drink more to cover water loss. How active you are: If you are active during the day or walk or stand a lot, you’ll need more water than someone who’s sitting at a desk.Your environment: If you spend more time outdoors in the sun or hot temperatures or in a heated room, you might feel thirstier faster.The temperature or season: You may need more water in warmer months than cooler ones due to perspiration.Or, more water is necessary if you don’t eat a lot of hydrating foods like fresh or cooked fruits and vegetables. You may also need to drink more water if your diet is high in salty, spicy, or sugary foods. Your diet: If you drink a lot of coffee and other caffeinated beverages you might lose more water through extra urination.You’ll also need more water if you live in the mountains or at a high altitude ( 4). Where you live: You will need more water in hot, humid, or dry areas.How much water you need also depends on ( 2, 3): You might need more water than someone else. You get an average of 20 percent of your water from the foods you eat ( 1, 2). This includes fluids from water, beverages like teas and juice, and from food. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is about: For adults, the general recommendation from The U.S. How much water you need depends on a lot of things and varies from person to person.

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11.5 cups in oz