Energy balance
Increasing absolute drinking water intake to ≥1 liter per day is associated with significant weight loss (~2.3 kg over 12 months) in overweight women, independent of diet group, physical activity, and food energy intake.
If you are overweight and trying to lose weight, try to drink at least 1 liter (about 4 cups) of water per day, especially if you currently drink less. This simple change, particularly if it replaces sugary drinks, is associated with losing about 2.3 kg (5 lbs) over a year, regardless of which specific diet you follow or how much you exercise. It is not a magic bullet, but a robust, low-cost lever for weight loss.
Over 12 months, the average increase in weight loss associated with drinking ≥1 l water per day was –2.3 (0.4) kg for the study sample (all diet groups combined).
Why this rating
Observational secondary analysis of a clinical trial; associations are robust but causal inference is limited by lack of randomization to water intake.
Source
Drinking Water Is Associated With Weight Loss in Overweight Dieting Women Independent of Diet and Activity
Jodi Stookey et al. · Obesity · 2008
DOI 10.1038/oby.2008.409
Related findings · Energy balance
- Achieving a total body weight loss of 10-15% (or >10-15 kg) through Total Diet Replacement (TDR) induces remission of Type 2 Diabetes in individuals with short-duration disease.Strong
- Bariatric surgery is superior to medical management alone for inducing significant long-term weight loss, remission of type 2 diabetes, and reduction in mortality for patients with BMI ≥ 40 or ≥ 35 with comorbidities.Strong
- Achieving type 2 diabetes remission requires significant weight loss (≥15 kg) via major caloric restriction, independent of macronutrient composition.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →