If you've ever tried to lose weight or improve the appearance of your skin, you've probably wished there was some sort of magic potion you could take that would make the process easier. Well, as it turns out, there is. And even better, it's something you can get for free almost anywhere. There are no side effects and no risks. This magic potion isn't magic at all - it's water!
You may have heard before that water can help you lose weight, but there hasn't been a lot of scientific evidence to back up this claim. Of course, the problem was no one knew the secret to how much and when you should drink the water to make it work.
Now a new study, presented at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society by Brenda Davy, PhD, demonstrates proof. Davy says, "We found in earlier studies that middle-aged and older people who drank two cups of water right before eating a meal ate between 75 and 90 fewer calories during that meal. In this recent study, we found that over the course of 12 weeks, dieters who drank water before meals, three times per day, lost about 5 pounds more than dieters who did not increase their water intake."
The way to experience the best results is if you use water to replace high-calorie drinks. But even if you aren't drinking sugary drinks in the first place, water can help you eat less because it fills your stomach without calories. You'll feel fuller, so you'll feel less of a need to take in additional calories.
As an added bonus, your skin will likely benefit as well. All of our cells, including skin cells, are made up of water. Cells must have water to function optimally, but your body will prioritize where the water you take in goes. And your vital organs are going to be the first to benefit, so if you're dehydrated, you'll probably end up with dry, tight, and flaky skin.
So if you want your skin to glow, it's essential that you hydrate it, both from the inside and the out. Use a hydrating moisturizer, such as Systéme 41's
Night Treatment. It's best to apply this before you go to bed, so it can treat your skin all night. And if you apply it as soon as you get out of a bath or shower, your skin will be more porous so the product will absorb better. This product contains hyaluronic acid, which holds 1,000 times its own weight in water, so it will naturally trap moisture in your skin.
And of course, simply drink more water! There's a debate about just how much you should drink, but chances are it's more than you're drinking now. Some recommend eight to nine cups for women and 13 cups for men. Others suggest you can simply let thirst be your guide. While it is possible to drink too much water, this is very rare. If you aim for eight to nine cups a day, you shouldn't run any risks and you should see improvement. Both your weight and your skin will thank you!
To your health, naturally,
Janet Zand
Source:
Davy, Brenda M., PhD, RD, Elizabeth A. Dennis, A. Laura Dengo, MS, Kelly L. Wilson, and Kevin P. Davy, PhD. “Water Consumption Reduces Energy Intake at a Breakfast Meal in Obese Older Adults,” J Am Diet Assoc. 2008 July; 108(7): 1236–1239.