A new study published this month (July 2016) in the Annals of Family Medicine found a direct relationship between hydration and weigh control, supporting the advice long given to dieters to drink plenty of water while following their weight loss diet. Researchers from the University of Michigan Medical School, looked at a variety of weight status measurements and their link with hydration levels in over 9500 adult subjects in the study. Data was taken from the U.S. Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for the years between 2009 and 2012. Measures of weight status, including Body Mass Index (BMI), were compared to hydration status measured via urine samples collected from the subjects.
The study found that subjects who were not adequately hydrated were more likely to be obese than those who were hydrated. Higher BMI values were seen for the subjects who were inadequately hydrated. In fact, according to the findings of the study, those who were inadequately hydrated were at a 50% greater risk for obesity. Currently the Institute of Medicine advises daily fluid intake should be at least 125 ounces for men and 91 ounces for women daily. Keep in mind that some vegetables, such as cucumbers, are also rich in water and contribute towards daily hydration status. Current estimates suggest that many are not sufficiently hydrated, which findings of this recent study confirmed as approximately 1/3 of the subjects were found to be inadequately hydrated. Certainly these findings confirm that for those trying for weight loss, watching daily intake must go beyond foods to always consider adequate hydration as well. For more detail see the following link
Journal Reference: July-August 2016 Edition, Annals of Family Medicine