Hot Water: Lose Weight The Healthy Way
Most of us are guilty of running to the kettle first thing in the morning to make our tea or coffee. We'd never dream of drinking the hot water alone, but what if we gave it a go? What would happen?
Well, you might find it wakes you up just as much! Medical professionals advise reaching for water when you’re tired, not caffeine. Dehydration can make you feel tired and groggy, and after sleeping for 8-10 hours, your body requires hydration.
The caffeine and calories in that coffee with milk and sugar might not be worth it. A standard cup of coffee with two sugars and milk can have up to 80 calories in it depending on what type and how much milk you pop in. But if you usually buy a coffee on the go, a grande latte from Starbucks will set you back 190 calories. Calories in hot water? Zero.
The benefits of drinking hot water alone are pretty incredible…
Many diets promote drinking hot water in the morning on an empty stomach, perhaps with a squeeze of lemon juice. The reason for this is the hot water will cause your body temperature to rise, thus increasing metabolic rate and burning more calories, while the lemon juice can help suppress your appetite.
Burning calories by drinking water? No squats, lunges or treadmills? Yes please!
What about hot water with food? Well, hot water aids your digestion. Whether you’re drinking this simple miracle first thing in the morning, throughout your workday or with your meals, hot water helps to flush out toxins and supports in breaking down your food. Drinking cold water with meals can actually harden some foods, particularly oils (consider how different coconut oil appears at room temperature vs slightly warmed), making them more difficult to digest. The hot water will help to break down these foods for easier digestion.
This one might be TMI, but you’ll thank us at some point… If you are suffering with constipation, hot water might be the answer. Dehydration is a common cause of constipation. If your body is not hydrated enough, it will take the water from your food waste, resulting in hard stools that are difficult or painful to pass. It’s true that your body will be hydrated with hot or cold water, but the increased temperature can support in stimulating the bowels and help food waste pass easier.
Should we all run out and buy a quality water bottle?
The combination of benefits here sound too good to be true, don't they? Such a simple answer. It’s often getting past the old habits we have that can be hard. They say it takes 21 days to break a habit. Why not try 21 days of drinking hot water? If you’ve hit a weight loss plateau, are feeling sluggish, struggle with bloating or constipation it’s well worth a try!
For more benefits of drinking hot water take a look at our blog on how hot water can give you glowing, healthy skin: Hot Water: Your Skin's New Best Friend.
