Upping your water intake is hailed as an effective weight loss strategy for many reasons.
It acts as a natural appetite suppressant, boosts your metabolism, improves your energy for workouts and may increase lipolysis (the process by which the body burns fat for energy).
But when is the best time to drink it for slimming success? According to an endocrinologist - a doctor who treats disorders of the endocrine system - as soon as you wake up, before and after meals, and in place of snacking are your best bets.
Dr Gerry Tan (@docgerrytan on TikTok) said on the sharing platform: "One of the ways to get lean is actually the so-called 'water method'.
'I hope this simple water method jump-starts your health'
GETTY IMAGES
"Being thirsty is always confused by the body as being hungry. So I always advise my patients, if you want to stabilise your weight, hydrate."
According to Dr Tan, drinking water "immediately" when you wake up is essential for hydration.
Then, drinking water before and after every meal "increases fullness and decreases food intake".
The expert also encouraged slimmers to sip on water instead of snacking. You may actually be thirsty but mistaking this for feeling peckish.
Sharing some advice on when not to drink water, Dr Tan advised against hydrating during mealtimes, claiming that it "makes you eat faster".
Dr Tan concluded: "I hope this simple water method jump-starts your health."
If you don't like the taste of water, consider adding some slices of lemon or lime for flavour.
The experts at John Hopkins University confirmed that "evidence supports the water-weight loss connection", and that hydrating before meals could spell slimming success.
Registered dietitian nutritionist at Hilton Head Health, Elizabeth Huggins, shared that although results are temporary, "consuming water shortly before eating may help decrease food intake".
The experts said: "Research supports the theory. People who drank two glasses of water immediately before a meal in a small 2016 study ate 22 per cent less than those who didn't drink any water prior to eating."
As for how much water slimmers should be drinking to see results, fitness and nutrition coach, Michelle Roots, said: "We all have a different need but I would say the best place to start is half of your body weight in ounces. It's a quick calculation and it's a great way to start."
To find out your magic water intake, the expert told slimmers to convert their weight into pounds and then half this amount. Someone who is 10st (140lb), therefore, should be drinking at least 70 ounces of water per day. This is just over two litres.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
If you don't like the taste of water, consider adding some slices of lemon or lime for flavour
GETTY IMAGESAccording to the expert, this number should be the "bare minimum" amount of water consumed per day. However, if you are exercising or sweating a lot due to heat, increase this figure.
Offering some important information on daily fluid intake, the NHS stated: "Most people should aim to drink enough during the day so their pee is a clear pale yellow colour.
"The Eatwell Guide recommends that people should aim to drink six to eight cups or glasses of fluid a day. Water, lower-fat milk and sugar-free drinks, including tea and coffee, all count.
"You may need to drink more fluids if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, in a hot environment, physically active for long periods, ill or recovering from illness."
For tailored advice on how to lose weight, including diet, hydration, exercise and lifestyle changes to make, always consult your GP.
