Water : the most potent fat burner – Part I

The fat-burning cycle begins with hydration. Without proper hydration, the kidneys cannot function at their optimal level. Over 189 liters of blood per day is filtered through a pair of healthy kidneys.

The kidneys depend upon hydration in the form of ingested water to properly execute their functions. When water intake is too low, kidney performance suffers and the liver is taxed to help the waste removal process. Here, it is to be remembered that the liver’s job is only in part waste removal, but its primary job is to metabolize fat.

If the liver is not allowed to do its job of fat metabolization due to dehydration, fat-burning slows down considerably. In some cases it can virtually stop completely, halting any weight loss and damaging both sets of organs in the process.

This entire fat metabolism cycle hinges on hydration. When you consider the fact that you are holding on to excess water right now, it can become a bit confusing. How can you be dehydrated and hold water weight? The biochemical processes behind this are considerably complex, and this is just one example. Another is how drinking water releases stored water and yet manages to hydrate the body at the same time. At a layman’s level, it’s sufficient to know that water is a vital component of fat-burning.

Things become even more complicated when you consider that many fat-burning agents like caffeine are dehydrating agents as well. Coffee dehydrates the body, yet it can also accelerate fat loss, especially when consumed prior to exercise. Therefore, what is required is an increase in water intake for any dehydrating agents consumed.

For example, simply drinking a glass of pure water along with your coffee can offset the dehydration effects while still allowing caffeine to work its magic in the fat-burning process. The more dehydrating agents you consume, greater amounts of water are required.

…to be continued in Part II