Water Before Meal Means Fewer Calories Consumed

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Americans, and American physicians, are concerned about ballooning waistlines and the accompanying health problems. Now, researchers have presented the first randomized trial of what they hail as a side-effect-free, prescription-free and simply free appetite control agent. That is, of course, water. Brenda Davy, lead researcher from Virginia Tech, presented the findings at the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society.

Previous studies showed that middle-aged and older Americans who drank two cups of water before a meal ate about 75 to 90 fewer calories over the course of the meal. For this study, the scientists took 48 adults between 55 and 75. All ate a low-calorie diet for 12 weeks. Half of the group drank 16 ounces of water before meals. The other half didn't.

After the 12 weeks were over, the water drinkers lost on average 15.5 pounds, while the ones who weren't prescribed water lost about 11 pounds. Davy says that this phenomenon could occur because water is filling and has, of course, zero calories. It could also be displacing other, sweeter drinks that the dieters might consume. It's not a cure-all, but it's certainly a cheap and simple addition to any weight-loss plan.

—Cynthia Graber

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[Amby 490]

I thought we already knew this?

[DEDixon 39]

I thought we already knew this?

me too. i like eating watermelon pretty much all day (i don't tire of things very quickly); i hardly ever feel so so hungry. i will miss summer because of the abundance of cheap, water loaded, fruit is gone.

[Staashi 371]

I thought we already knew this?

Not necessarily. Most people will drink water "with" a meal in hopes of losing weight and to improve calorie restriction. This is a control group analysis where people were given a measurable amount of water (2 cups) and asked to drink it "before" every meal. The effect on satiety has shown that it does produce a significant amount of weight loss. I do know that they've told us to eat a broth-based soup to help calorie restriction, but to now know that 16 oz of water does the trick is pretty cool.

me too. i like eating watermelon pretty much all day (i don't tire of things very quickly); i hardly ever feel so so hungry. i will miss summer because of the abundance of cheap, water loaded, fruit is gone.

Me, too.

[HAL 9000 96]

Not necessarily. Most people will drink water "with" a meal in hopes of losing weight and to improve calorie restriction. This is a control group analysis where people were given a measurable amount of water (2 cups) and asked to drink it "before" every meal. The effect on satiety has shown that it does produce a significant amount of weight loss. I do know that they've told us to eat a broth-based soup to help calorie restriction, but to now know that 16 oz of water does the trick is pretty cool.

Me, too.

Water-activated hypothalamic neurons are also real close to the adiposity and carbohydrate-sensing neurons. TBO, the hypothalamus is a real mess to look at if one is expecting areas in it to be organized in a simple fashion.

[IncorrectPolitics 26]

What ever happened to a salad? We always eat a salad right before our meal at my house and have never had a weight problem.

[Amby 490]

Staashi - I've always drank lots of water before eating. I guess I just thought it was a well known thing

[BobandXiaomei 14]

Oh yes, "water" doesn't mean that 32oz Coca-Cola (or other soft drink).

[Staashi 371]

Staashi - I've always drank lots of water before eating. I guess I just thought it was a well known thing

Yes, but no one ever did a controlled study on it.

[IncorrectPolitics 26]

Oh yes, "water" doesn't mean that 32oz Coca-Cola (or other soft drink).

A soft drink before a meal means no eating at all! I don't know how people have room to eat after drinking that.

[alienlovechild 75]

What ever happened to a salad? We always eat a salad right before our meal at my house and have never had a weight problem.

Never had a weight problem either until I hit 40. If you haven't encountered middle age yet, watch out. It's only better than old age I suppose.

Edited August 26, 2010 by alienlovechild

[BobandXiaomei 14]

Never had a weight problem either until I hit 40. If you haven't encountered middle age yet, watch out. It's only better than old age I suppose.

I hear ya! I was always that kid that people worried about because I was so thin.

That's not a problem these days.