Doctor shares simple daily habit that can help speed up weight loss

30 October 2023 , 13:04

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A doctor has shared his weight loss tip - and it couldn't be simpler (stock image) (Image: Getty Images)

Losing weight isn't always easy. While some of us can quickly shift the pounds through exercise and diet, other people can really struggle to see results. Now, a doctor has shared his top tip for weight loss - and it really couldn't be any simpler for people to follow.

Forget supplements, strict diets, fasting, or even increased exercise. Everyone can give this one a go with no extra expense or effort. It's detailed in a new video shared online by two doctors in the UK, under the title 'Weight loss tips'.

"Doing this one simple thing will not only control your weight but it will also lead to weight loss. So what is it?" one of the doctors says at the start of the clip, posted on TikTok on the myherbplus account.

"Drinking water before your meal. Studies have shown that drinking 500ml of water before your meal can not only increase your metabolism but also lead to greater weight loss than not drinking any water. Generally, the more water we drink, the healthier we are. Easy as that."

It has been scientifically proven that drinking water leads to weight loss. Researchers at the University of Birmingham have shown that drinking 500ml of water half an hour before eating main meals may help people to lose weight.

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The study found people who drank 500ml of water 30 minutes before a meal lost on average 1.3kg more than people who didn't. Over a 12-week period, they reported a 4.3kg loss compared to an average 0.8kg lost by people not "pre-loading" with water.

Dr Helen Parretti, former NIHR Clinical Lecturer at the University of Birmingham, said: "The beauty of these findings is in the simplicity. Just drinking a pint of water, three times a day, before your main meals may help reduce your weight.

"When combined with brief instructions on how to increase your amount of physical activity and on a healthy diet, this seems to help people to achieve some extra weight loss – at a moderate and healthy rate. It's something that doesn’t take much work to integrate into our busy everyday lives."

Nutritionist Kelly Jones agrees. She suggests thinking of water as more of a "maintenance tool" than a "magic bullet" for weight loss. The pro says sipping water regularly throughout the day is essential to preventing feelings of thirst, as when you're thirsty it's already a sign that you're dehydrated. If you continually sip water you'll have "better appetite regulation" throughout the day.

Gemma Strong