(CNN)Suddenly starving? Try drinking some water.
That recommendation isn’t new — but it suddenly got some serious evidence to back it up. A study of nearly 10,000 adults ages 18 to 64 shows that staying hydrated by drinking water and eating more water-loaded fruits and vegetables could help with weight management, especially if you’re overweight or obese.
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“Staying hydrated is good for you no matter what, and our study suggests it may also be linked to maintaining a healthy weight,” said lead author Dr. Tammy Chang, an assistant professor in the department of family medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School. “Our findings suggest that hydration may deserve more attention when thinking about addressing obesity on a population level.”
“Feeling thirsty is the most straight forward way to know if your body needs more water,” said Chang. “Your mouth may feel dry. You may feel run down or less alert. However, I have found that my patients often confuse these symptoms with other urges like hunger or general fatigue.”
The color of your urine is another good way to tell. If your urine is light yellow, almost the color of water, you’re in good shape. If your urine is dark yellow, it’s time to drink up.
And yes, water is best. “Other beverages come with other substances like sugar in soda, or caffeine in coffee that are not recommended in large amounts,” said Chang. “Soft drinks typically contain sugar or chemical sugar substitutes that I do not recommend to my patients. Water is the best for hydration for most people.”
Here’s another easy way: Increase your intake of water-laden foods, such as cucumbers, celery, watermelon, raw broccoli and carrots, plums, apples and peaches.
“Eating fruits and vegetables with high water content is good for you not just because of the nutrients they deliver to your body, but also because they can improve your hydration.”
And they don’t come with a ton of calories. It’s a win all around.
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/11/health/water-weight-loss-hydration-obesity/index.html