Water Consumption: Effect on Energy Expenditure and Body Weight Management

Abstract

Purpose of review: Water, which is of vital importance, has a critical role in maintaining the normal function of the body, and even mild dehydration can play a role in the development of various diseases. Therefore, it is of great importance to meet the recommended daily water consumption amounts. In addition to the numerous roles of water in metabolism, its effect on energy metabolism should not be overlooked. Water consumption can increase energy expenditure and be an additional tool for weight management. Therefore, the importance of water consumption, which is like a hidden component for treating of obesity, should be emphasized. This review was written to explain the possible mechanisms of water consumption in energy expenditure and body weight management.

Recent findings: Because water consumption is associated with sympathetic activity, which increases metabolic rate (thermogenesis) and daily energy expenditure, the increase in sympathetic activity caused by water consumption is an important and unrecognized component of daily energy expenditure. In addition to the concept of water-based thermogenesis, water, which is a potential improvement factor in body composition, also plays an auxiliary role in body weight loss with both less energy intake and increased fat oxidation. From this perspective, water consumption may have critical importance in the fight against increasing obesity worldwide. Considering its effect on energy metabolism in various ways, it becomes necessary to focus more on the importance of water on human health. (Created by BioRender.com).

Keywords: Body weight; Dehydration; Energy expenditure; Obesity; Water.