Food Myths: Water

There are several popular beliefs in relation to water in the diet. In this entry we intend to clarify any doubts you may have about this.One of the myths heard is one that ensures that water fattening if taken with meals. To which we must respond by saying that water is a hot food, ie their nutrients do not provide energy. Therefore can not gain weight.

Drinks, like any other food, bring a certain amount of energy, according to the type and amount of nutrients it contains. This energy that he brings will be the same at all times. Food does not have the capacity to gain weight more or less if taken before, during or after meals.

Drink 1-2 glasses of water before meals, can produce feelings of fullness and calm the appetite. Helps you eat less at lunch, making that provide fewer calories and is therefore a widely used during the conduct of diets.


The taking water or any other beverage, during or just after meals, may be inadvisable to some degree, for people who suffer from heavy or difficult digestion. This is because juices tend to melt and as a result, digestion is slowed yet, for these people. However, for those who do not suffer any digestive upset, there is no dietary explanation to justify that you can not take fluids at any time of the meal.

Another misconception we hear about water is its ability to burn calories. It is an idea without any basis. The fact drink large quantities of water, does not in itself, the weight loss. The only way to lose weight is to limit food intake, so if you eat what is not and is accompanied by a glass of water, you can not blame the latter if you take a kilo.
It is true that drinking the recommended amount of water a day helps to remove fluid and debug. When we eat the body tends to retain little water as a way to avoid dehydration. However, when their input is appropriate, is eliminated effectively, together with organic waste and toxic products generated during the organic metabolism, which helps to cleanse internally. Another aspect to consider is that the body does not retain liquids in normal situations, unless there is some underlying pathology, in this case it is advisable to visit the doctor, which will give us solutions.

It is important to consume adequate amounts of water, between 1.5 and 2 liters a day to avoid dehydration. This amount will vary depending on the level of activity, temperature, humidity and other individual factors of each individual, because we have to take into account that more than half of our weight (around 60%) is water. The correct way to ingest this water is by dividing the total amount in divided doses throughout the day and starting in the morning, to ensure at all times the amount of water needed.