There’s also a belief that drinking water distends your stomach, reduces sensations of hunger and leaves you feeling fuller, all desirable feelings when you’re on a diet.

This has been confirmed in a new US study which tested the drink-water-before-your-meal idea on overweight people. The scientists discovered that the subjects ate 13 per cent less after the water. It didn’t matter what their age, weight or sex was, nor whether they regularly drank water or not.

Twenty-four overweight and obese older adults took part in this experiment. They came in for a breakfast on two occasions – once with nothing before, then the second time they drank 2 cups (500ml) chilled, bottled water first. What they ate was covertly weighed and measured. Participants consumed significantly less after the water pre-load. This represented a drop of 222 kilojoules for the men and 765 kilojoules for the women. The researchers think the water works by slowing the rate of emptying of the stomach and promoting fullness.

Pre-meal water can be a simple inexpensive and effective weight control strategy. Perhaps it’s the real reason those detox diets work – you drink lots of water to ‘flush out the toxins’ but it inadvertently fills you up so you cut back on food!

It’s also desirable because many of us fail to drink enough water over a day. A 2007 survey conducted by Brita Water Filters found that one-third of 10 Australian adults only drink three glasses of water or less a day, significantly less than the recommended daily intake.

So here’s to our new diet mantra: “Drink plenty of water before you start to eat”.

Catherine Saxelby is a nutritionist and author of Nutrition for Life. Get more healthy eating tips at www.foodwatch.com.au

Reference quoted:

Davy BM, Dennis EA, Dengo L, Wilson KL, Davy KP. Water consumption Reduces Energy Intake at a Breakfast Meal in Obese Older Adults. JADA 2008; 108: 1236-1239.