*By: Megan Deppen*
Most of us have heard that we should be drinking eight, 8-ounce cups of water a day on average, which can be hard to achieve and also a pain to keep track of on a daily basis. However, we know drinking water has many health benefits, including keeping your body hydrated and aiding in weight loss.
If you’re already not a big water drinker and are wondering how it can help you lose weight, below are some key reasons why you might consider incorporating more of the mighty H2O into your diet. Also, if the thought of drinking water with every meal seems like a huge bore to you, liven it up by adding fresh lemon or lime, which also pose their own added health benefits.
Reduced Calorie Intake – Water has no calories, so individuals who consume mostly water as their main beverage take in fewer calories than those who drink sugary beverages that are high in calories. Studies also show that drinking water may help prevent against long-term weight gain.
Reduces Appetite – Some studies on middle-aged and older adults have shown that drinking water before a meal may reduce your appetite. However, studies have shown this is not the case for younger individuals.
Boosts Your Metabolism -Drinking water throughout the day helps to speed up your metabolism, which helps burn more calories to aid in weight loss.
Efficient Exercising – Water not only helps lubricate your muscles and joints so they move properly while working out, but it also helps your heart and lungs to work efficiently. Not drinking enough water before a workout could bring on muscle cramps and fatigue.
Below is how much water we should be drinking daily. How much water do you drink daily? Leave us your comments below.
| Demographic | Total daily recommended amount of water from drinks |
|---|---|
| children 4–8 years old | 5 cups, or 40 oz. |
| children 9–13 years old | 7–8 cups, or 56–64 oz. |
| children 14–18 years old | 8–11 cups, or 64–88 oz. |
| men 19 years and older | 13 cups, or 104 oz. |
| women 19 years and older | 9 cups, or 72 oz. |
| pregnant women | 10 cups, or 80 oz. |
| breastfeeding women | 13 cups, or 104 oz. |
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