‘We often hear recommendations that drinking water is a way to avoid overeating because you may be thirsty rather than hungry, ‘ she said. These findings prompt further discussion regarding proper hydration during weight management counseling.
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The research comes from Tammy Chang, MD at the University of MI, along with other researchers.
The study was published in the July/August issue of the journal, the Annals of Family Medicine. The obesity epidemic led a team of medical researchers from the University of Michigan’s Medical School to investigate how hydration plays a part in unhealthy weight gain. The 9,528 study participants were between 18 and 64 years old and represented a sample from across the country.
BMI is a calculation of body fat based on height and weight. To do that, they measured the concentration of water in urine. Experts consider osmolality a better measure of hydration than water intake because it reflects the balance between water and chemicals in the body. The models were also adjusted for known confounders like age, sex, race or ethnicity, and even income-to-poverty ratio.
New research from the University of MI suggests that people who have a higher body mass index (BMI) and are considered obese are more likely to not be properly hydrated. People who weren’t hydrated enough had higher BMIs than those who were. A study of almost 10,000 adults ages 18 to 64 shows that staying hydrated by drinking water and eating more water-loaded fruits and vegetables could help with weight management, especially if you’re overweight or obese.
It is possible that people who stay well-hydrated also have other habits – say, a healthful diet – that keeps them slimmer.
He says what is clear when it comes to the relationship between weight and what we drink is this: Swapping sugary drinks for water is beneficial.
Most people use natural thirst as their drink guide, but the general guidelines recommend women consume 2.7 liters (91 ounces) of water a day, while men should consume 3.7 liters (125 ounces). Or someone who is adequately hydrated may eat an overall healthy diet, she noted. Poor hydration is linked to poorer mental, emotional, and physical health.
There are two main takeaways from the current study. It’s not necessarily pointing to the importance of hydration, “just drinking fewer calories”, he adds. On the other hand, the study emphasizes how important it is for doctors to look at their patient’s BMI when giving advice for keeping hydrated.
One theory is that people with obesity need more water than people with lower body weights, TIME notes.
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Explaining why water intake may be linked with a healthier weight was beyond the scope of the study, Chang said. If someone is exercising or out in the sun, they can become dehydrated, and should ensure they drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after their activities.
