Replacing 3?4 Liters of Cola a Day with Water
Both Weight and Blood Sugar Levels Return to Normal
A woman in her 30s from the United Kingdom has drawn attention after revealing that she succeeded in losing weight solely through simple dietary changes, without relying on injections or medication. She managed to break her habit of drinking 3 to 4 liters of cola a day and replaced it with water, resulting in a weight loss of about 25 kilograms in just four months.
"Water Instead of Cola"…25kg Lost in Four Months
According to recent reports from British media outlets such as The Sun and Mirror, Abby Lodge, a 34-year-old mother of two living in Essex, United Kingdom, fell into irregular eating habits after giving birth. She would get by on snacks and chocolate throughout the day and relied on nearly 200 pounds (about 330,000 won) worth of food deliveries each month. She used to drink 3 to 4 liters of cherry cola daily, and her weight reached 92 kilograms. Eventually, she was diagnosed with prediabetes by her doctor. Realizing the seriousness of her condition, Lodge decided to lose weight and chose to correct her eating habits instead of turning to medication or injections.
By quitting cola and consistently drinking 3 to 4 liters of water a day while adjusting her diet, she reduced her weight to 67 kilograms in just four months. Both her abdominal obesity and blood sugar levels returned to normal. Lodge stated, "The secret to long-term weight loss and maintenance is drinking water," adding, "Even now, I drink 3 to 4 liters of water a day and maintain a balanced, healthy lifestyle. There are no forbidden foods." She also shared, "The physical changes were significant, but the biggest change was the relief from mental stress," expressing her satisfaction by saying, "I am no longer controlled by food and am not a prisoner to it."
"Drinking Too Much Water Can Be Harmful"
Experts explain that simply cutting out carbonated drinks and increasing water intake can improve weight and metabolic health. Water temporarily increases energy expenditure and, when consumed before meals, enhances the feeling of fullness, reducing calorie intake by about 10 to 15 percent. In particular, water helps stabilize blood sugar, improves insulin resistance, and suppresses fat synthesis.
However, experts warn that the belief "the more water you drink, the better" is a misconception. Excessive water intake in a short period can rapidly dilute blood sodium levels, leading to hyponatremia (water intoxication). This can result in headaches, vomiting, confusion, and, in severe cases, cerebral edema. There have even been reports overseas of marathon participants dying from excessive water intake during a race. The Korean Nutrition Society recommends a daily intake of 2.6 liters for men and 2.1 liters for women, including the moisture contained in food. The actual amount that should be consumed as water is about 1.5 to 2 liters on average.
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