Why drinking water might help you burn fat and eat less
Hydration biomarkers and copeptin: relationship with ad libitum energy intake, energy expenditure, and metabolic fuel selection
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Copeptin (a vasopressin marker) was linked to reduced fat oxidation — but hydration levels didn’t correlate with copeptin levels.
Scientists expected hydration to control copeptin, which then controlled fat burning — but the study found they operate independently. This means two separate biological pathways are at play.
Practical Takeaways
If you're trying to lose weight, don’t force yourself to drink excessive water — your body may naturally shift to fat burning when mildly dehydrated.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Copeptin (a vasopressin marker) was linked to reduced fat oxidation — but hydration levels didn’t correlate with copeptin levels.
Scientists expected hydration to control copeptin, which then controlled fat burning — but the study found they operate independently. This means two separate biological pathways are at play.
Practical Takeaways
If you're trying to lose weight, don’t force yourself to drink excessive water — your body may naturally shift to fat burning when mildly dehydrated.
Publication
Journal
European journal of clinical nutrition
Year
2019
Authors
D. Chang, A. Basolo, P. Piaggi, S. Votruba, J. Krakoff
Related Content
Claims (4)
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.
When people drink less water, their bodies tend to burn more fat and less sugar for energy, even if they’re not trying to lose weight.
People who drink less water tend to eat less food later, even if they’re not hungry or trying to diet.
People who don’t drink much water may burn slightly fewer calories over the course of a day, especially in populations living in hot, dry climates.