Water does not only help to keep you alive, but it can also prove beneficial when you are on a diet, as suggested by the websites of Mayo Clinic and Science Daily. The answer to why drink water on diet is that it keeps you hydrated. If you feel that plain water is too plain for you, you must drink it after squeezing in a pinch of lemon in it. You may also choose to drink flavored water, but only as long as it is sugar-free because sugar does more harm than good when you are on a diet.

Appetite
Science Daily says that water does not merely quench your thirst, but it helps in filling up your stomach too. Drinking water fills your stomach and also makes you think that you are full. Your body does not really know the difference between hunger and thirst. Thus, you can drink water to keep off your food cravings. If you actually want to check whether your hunger is valid or not, you should wait for about half an hour after you have had water in order to determine if you still want to eat something. Water is the perfect diet choice over any snack.

Calories
Science Daily points out that drinking water is a zero-calorie substitute to the usual can of soda. So if you really want to knock off several calories from your daily intake you must choose to grab a glass of water rather than soda. Water can even beat out diet soda, says Mayo Clinic. Although diet soda contains no calories, it generally has plenty of chemicals. A daily dose of more than two sodas of any sort increases the risk of health problems like type 2 diabetes and obesity. Research also suggested that diet sodas often lead to sugar cravings.

Caffeine
Yet another major plus point of water noted by Science Daily is that water does not contain caffeine. A huge glass of water instead of a mug of coffee or tea not only cuts out caffeine but slashes any calories that you may put up from heavy cream, sugar, milk or other high-calorie additives commonly used in coffee shops. While Mayo Clinic says that caffeine temporarily holds back your appetite, boosts your metabolism and makes you urinate more often, but it is not enough to be regarded as a significant weight loss component. It may make you jittery at times and lead to dehydration too.

Recommended Dose
Science Daily and Mayo Clinic points that recommended daily water dosage is obtained from different methods. The first method is that you calculate your weight in pounds and then divide it in half. The result is the number of ounces of water that you should ideally consume. Alternatively, another approach states that you lose 67 ounces of water approximately through breathing, sweating, urination and certain other bathroom breaks. You can also follow the non-scientific approach of drinking eight glasses of water every day, which supplies you 64 oz. of water. According to the Institute of Medicine's advice, men must drink 101 oz. while women must drink 74 oz. of water daily.

Function
Human body is approximately 60 percent water, hence water is a significant component for the body to function properly. The major functions performed by the water in body include excreting of waste and toxins, keeping the ears, nose and throat moist, maintaining stable body temperature, transporting nutrients and staving off fatal dehydration. Water also helps in preventing bloating and constipation.

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