Does drinking water reduce belly fat? Yes. However, it may not directly impact the excess fat in your abdominal region. But, as you continue to drink enough water daily, your overall weight will reduce. Your stomach will also shrink proportionately.
What Research Shows?
Several studies have been conducted to find out the relation between drinking water and weight loss.
An overweight woman drank more than 1litre of water daily for 12 months. After 12 months, it was found that the woman lost an extra 2kg of her body weight.
Several studies on obese people have proved that drinking 1-1.5litres of water daily can reduce BMI considerably.
How Water Helps to Lose Belly Fat?
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Drinking water can help to lose belly fat in the following ways:
1. Curbs Appetite
Pour yourself a big glass of water when feeling hungry. It will lessen your hunger pangs. Water is nutrient and calorie-free. Drinking water fills up your stomach. So, you may not eat as much food as you would have if you hadnโt taken water.
When you eat less, less fat will be deposited. And, if youโre already doing exercises to lose belly fat, youโll observe positive results within 2-3 months.
2. Burns Fat
Water enables the body to metabolize the stored carbs or fats. This fat metabolizing process is known as lipolysis. It starts with hydrolysis, where water molecules interact with triglycerides to form fatty acids and glycerol.
Staying hydrated helps the body to burn the excess fat and the fats derived from foods and drinks.
3. Increases Calorie Burning
Drinking water increases the bodyโs ability to burn calories while resting. Consequently, more calories are burnt. If you drink cold water, this calorie-burning efficiency of your body increases further. The body will expend more calories or energy to heat up the water. This heated up water will be used for digestion.
4. Removes Waste from the Body
Dehydrated body cannot remove waste from body efficiently. Water enables kidneys to flush out toxins and other waste as feces or urine.
Not drinking enough water can make you suffer from constipation. Constipation causes abdominal bloating. Bloating may make others feel that youโre having a protruding stomach.
When your body remains hydrated, you wonโt have constipation. So, no bloating issue.
Ways to Drink Water to Get Rid of Belly Fat
1. Replace Sugary Beverages with Water
The cold drinks are loaded with sugars. Consumption of excessive sugar adds to your belly fat. Drink water in between drinking cold drinks. Aim for the one-to-one ratio to cut off your sugar intake.
2. Sip Water Between Bites During Meals
Water improves digestion. Taking sips of water during meals can prevent you from overeating. At the same time, eat slowly. Itโs because your body needs 10-20 minutes to realize that youโre no longer hungry. If you eat too fast, you may end up eating more.
3. Drink Coffee and Tea
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Having trouble kickstarting your morning? Tea and coffee also can increase your amount of water intake. Plus, they are energy-boosters. Instead of relying on energy drinks, embrace these caffeinated drinks to get the energy to fresh start your mornings.
Avoid adding sugar or caramel latte to your coffee or tea. Otherwise, losing belly fat will be tough for you.
Also Read
Jogging Vs Walking: Which is Better for Fat Loss?
How Much Water Should You Drink for a Flat Stomach?
Most of the health experts recommend drinking 8-10 glasses of water daily. However, this number varies from person to person, depending upon the health conditions of an individual. For instance, a kidney patient has to follow the guidelines of his doctors regarding the litres of water he should drink.
Hereโs a general guideline on how much water you should drink daily for fat belly.
a) In Litres: 1-2
b) Ounces: 34-67
c) Glasses: 8-10
If you sweat more, you may need to drink more water to stay hydrated. But, drinking excess water is not good for health and it has caused even death in certain cases.
What is the Best Time to Drink Water for Belly Fat?
If your main goal is to get rid of belly fat by drinking water, follow these rules of drinking water:
1. Before, during, and after exercise
2. Drink lukewarm water first thing in the morning to facilitate bowel movements
3. 30minutes before every meal
4. When you feel hungry
Drinking water at these particular times will help you reap maximum benefits.
Does Drinking Too Much Water Make Your Stomach Bigger?
Drinking excess water will make your body incapable to flush out the toxins. Consequently, youโll gain weight.
Avoid drinking water from a bottle. Rather, use a glass always. Your water bottle can be your enemy in terms of losing belly fat. While drinking water from a bottle, you consume more air. This air consumption causes bloating.
Cold Water Vs Warm Water for Losing Belly Fat
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Coldwater is more effective than warm water to give you a flat stomach. When you drink cold water, your body will work more to adjust its temperature. Hence, more calories will burn resulting in more sweat. So, you will lose weight faster than by drinking warm water.
