Study: People Who Consumed Less Water Tend to be Obese

A new study shows that people who drink less water has more chances to be obese. The average water consumption in the U.S. about 4 cups a day which is not enough. While, despite a huge focus and support diet and physical activity the country is still experiencing increasing obesity rates.

Some researchers link low water consumption to obesity. In a new study published in the Annals of Family Medicine, experts used latest data from about 9,500 adults enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination survey (NHANES), a nationally representative sample of what Americans are eating. The data also contain information on how hydrated the subjects are by measuring the concentration of their urine.

“There’s so much focus on food and exercise, but so much more than just food and exercise goes into weight,” says Dr. Tammy Chang, assistant professor in the department of family medicine at the University of Michigan medical school.

About 33% of the people who took part in the study were not taking enough water. The study also found a link between dehydration and obesity. People who don't drink enough water had higher BMIs than those who do.

Of course those who are obese need more water than people who have smaller bodies, making the hydration threshold potentially harder to attain. People who are obese eat less and take fewer calories when they drink water before a meal than if they eat it without water.

So how will you know if you are well hydrated? Dr. Tammy Chang said that the most reliable way to check it is through the color of your urine. Light colored urine almost the same color of water means that you are well hydrated. If it’s dark, you need to drink more water.

You can also take water and be hydrated by eating fresh fruits and vegetables which contains a lot of water. A cup of sliced radishes contains about 120ml of water, while a 2-cup serving of watermelon or 1 cucumber contains more than a cup of water.

“They’re good for you because of their nutritional value, while you’re improving your hydration as well,” Chang says.

However, the link between hydration and obesity needs more study. “More studies are needed to understand the directionality,” Chang says. “But staying hydrated is good for you no matter what.”

Drinks that can help burn unwanted fat

If you want to be healthy and burn unwanted fat, you need to exercise regularly, eat healthy foods, and watch your eating habits. You can also speed up the fat burning process by increasing your metabolism rate. Here are drinks that can help you burn up those unwanted fats.

Green Tea

Green tea has the capability to increase your metabolism by up to 4 percent making you burn more fat. It is also a mild appetite suppressant that can make you eat less so weight loss comes naturally.

Ice Cold Water

Drinking ice cold water can help your body burn more calories. German scientists recently found that drinking 2 glasses of ice cold water boosts metabolism by 25 percent for 90 minutes. Also muscle cells grow faster when they're well hydrated.

Milk

A research done by University of Tennessee found that overweight people who take three servings a day of calcium-rich dairy lost more belly fat than those who followed a similar diet minus two or more of the dairy servings. Though milk is an ingredient for fattening foods like ice creams, candies, and desserts, it is rich in calcium which can help you lose weight as it increases the rate at which the body breaks up the fat cells. However, it's a big no-no to start drinking milk multiple times a day. Drink in moderation, at least one full glass a day.

Soy Drinks

Soy protein is a proven fat-burner. A study by University of Alabama in Birmingham concluded that soy protein can aid fat loss by decreasing appetite and calorie intake. The scientists also found that subjects drinking 20 grams of soy daily for three months lost a significant amount of abdominal fat.

Whey Protein Drinks

Whey protein is a dietary supplement from cow's milk that is used by athletes and bodybuilders for its ability to build hard, lean and strong muscles. It's easily digested and absorbed into the body.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar helps detoxify the liver. Healthy livers helps burn fat cells stored in all parts of the body. Study shows that obese people who took in 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar daily in a study melted significantly more body fat and belly fat than a group taking a placebo despite being on the same diet and exercise plan. Vinegar also seemed to help lower bad-for-the-heart triglyceride levels and systolic blood pressure. Take at least two teaspoons of fresh apple cider vinegar with water before taking meals.