Water and Weight Loss: Does it Help?

Recent research shows that drinking a lot of water will not necessarily help you loose weight, according to nutrition expert Dr. Beth Kitchin of the University of Alabama.

"There is very little evidence that drinking water promotes weight loss - it is one of those self-perpetuating myths," Kitchin said, via a press release."I'm not saying drinking water isn't good - but only one study showed people who drank more water burned a few extra calories, and it was only a couple of extra calories a day."

Kitchin even went on to say that recommending people to drink eight glasses of water a day is a myth for weightloss and overall health.

"Yes, people do need to get fluids - but it does not have to be water. There's no evidence that it melts away fat or makes you feel fuller, so if you don't like water it's OK," she said.

Kitchin notes that while water can help the body stay hydrated, it's other liquids, like coffee, juice and green tea that may also help with hydration and possibly weight loss.

"People think coffee doesn't count, but actually it does," she said, via The Daily Mail. "When you drink coffee, your body is retaining much of that fluid - especially for people who are habituated to drinking caffeine, as the body adapts, resulting in a reduced loss of fluids."

To get a better grip on any diet plans you might have, Kitchin recommends counting calories to eating healthier in general.

What do you think?