"Taking Medicine to Lose Weight? ... Drink Water and Eat"

US Researchers Analyze the Link Between Water Intake and Health
Group Drinking 1500ml More Daily Shows Weight Loss↑
Also Beneficial for Kidney Stones, Hypotension, and Migraines

What effects does drinking water daily have on health? Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) campus announced the results of a study analyzing the relationship between water intake and health in the international academic journal JAMA Network on the 25th of last month (local time).

Professor Benjamin Breyer of UCSF stated, "This study is the first to extensively evaluate the benefits of water intake," adding, "Since evidence for simple health guidelines was unclear and the benefits were not well defined, further analysis was necessary."

The study found that drinking enough water daily helps with weight loss, prevention of kidney stones, low blood pressure, and migraines. The researchers conducted an additional analysis of 18 clinical trials out of 1,464 studies related to the effects of water intake on health.

First, to examine the relationship between water intake and weight loss, four studies were analyzed. These studies, conducted over periods ranging from 12 weeks to 12 months, showed that groups who drank an additional 1500 ml of water daily succeeded in losing up to twice as much weight. Drinking about 500 ml of water before meals can reduce energy intake during meals by approximately 13%, as water increases satiety and helps reduce food consumption.

The preventive effect on kidney stones was also significant. The researchers reported that increasing water intake reduces the recurrence rate of kidney stones by about 50%, helps flush out bacteria, and improves urinary tract health. Conversely, adults with overactive bladder symptoms who reduced their fluid intake by 25% experienced significant decreases in urination frequency, urgency, and nocturia symptoms. Professor Breyer noted, "Dehydration is not good for people with a history of kidney stones or urinary tract infections," but added, "However, for those suffering from frequent urination, drinking less water may be better."

Additionally, sufficient water intake was found to help control low blood pressure, prevent migraines, and regulate blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. Adults who frequently suffered from headaches showed symptom improvement within three months of increasing water intake, and those with low blood pressure also experienced symptom relief. Furthermore, diabetic patients who drank water before meals (an additional 1000 ml per day) saw a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose levels.