By drinking water and eating whole foods, you can burn 100–150 extra calories a day without doing anything else.
Scientific Claim
The combined effect of consuming whole foods and hydrating in a fasted state increases daily energy expenditure by 100–150 kcal compared to consuming ultraprocessed foods and not hydrating in a fasted state.
Original Statement
“If I had to look at the math, it looks like you might end up gaining yourself 100 or 150 calories per day more liberty. That is some serious fat loss that can occur. And all you did is drink water and not eat processed food.”
Context Details
Domain
nutrition
Population
human
Subject
Combined intake of whole foods and fasted-state hydration
Action
increases
Target
daily energy expenditure by 100–150 kcal
Intervention Details
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Postprandial energy expenditure in whole-food and processed-food meals: implications for daily energy expenditure
This study found that eating a sandwich made with real bread and cheese burns more calories after eating than one made with processed ingredients — by about 64 calories. It doesn't test drinking water while fasting, but it does prove that whole foods boost calorie burning more than processed ones.
Contradicting (1)
Hydration biomarkers and copeptin: relationship with ad libitum energy intake, energy expenditure, and metabolic fuel selection
This study only looked at how drinking water affects calorie burning, not whether eating whole foods vs. processed foods makes a difference — so it can't answer the claim.