Yes, drinking water can help your body burn a small number of calories. This happens because your body needs to expend energy to raise the temperature of the ingested water to match your body's core temperature. Drinking cold water enhances this effect, as your body expends more energy warming colder water. While this calorie expenditure is minimal, it contributes to your body's overall resting energy expenditure (the number of calories your body burns at rest). This is supported by various studies showing an increase in resting energy expenditure after water consumption (e.g., a study mentioned in Medical News Today showing increased calorie burn after drinking 500ml of water).
How Does Water Contribute to Calorie Burning?
- Thermoregulation: Your body expends energy to heat cold water to your body temperature.
- Increased Resting Energy Expenditure: Studies suggest water intake can slightly increase the number of calories burned at rest.
- Improved Metabolism: While not directly burning calories, adequate hydration supports overall metabolic function.
Several sources corroborate this: Healthline notes that drinking water helps burn calories and reduces hunger. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences explains that calorie burning involves basal metabolic rate, physical activity, and digestion; drinking cold water influences the latter. Harvard Health also mentions the energy expenditure involved in heating water to body temperature. A study cited in The Conversation showed a small increase in resting energy expenditure after drinking 500ml of water.
It's crucial to understand that while water contributes to calorie burning, it's not a significant factor for weight loss. The calorie expenditure from water consumption is minimal compared to the calories burned through exercise or the overall caloric intake.
