Author: Alexander Bruni
Time for reading: ~1
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
Proven benefits of drinking water for kidney stones, against hangovers, for weight loss.
Consumption of sufficient water has a prophylactic effect, but at the same time therapeutic for nephrolithiasis (kidney stones). There is limited evidence that increasing water intake in patients with previous renal crises due to stones has reduced recurrence episodes. (To the first part)
Increased fluid intake increases the amount of urine that passes through the kidneys. This reduces the concentration of minerals and, accordingly, the possibility of their crystallization into larger structures from which the concretions are formed.
Regardless of the presumed preventive role of sufficient water intake in the formation of concretions, further studies and evidence are needed in this regard.
The malaise after drinking large amounts of alcohol or the so-called hangover is also attributed to a certain degree to the dehydration of the body.
Alcohol acts as a diuretic, which is expressed in the excretion of more fluids than are taken. Which in turn leads to dehydration. As a preventive measure to prevent the onset of a hangover or at least the degree of its symptoms, it is recommended to take a glass of water between two drinks , as well as a glass of water before bedtime.
Even if you do not prevent the symptoms of a hangover in this way, you will at least reduce the severity of the symptoms to some extent.
Drinking enough water is also related to maintaining optimal body weight, as it is related to weight loss in overweight people. The intake of water gives the feeling of protection for some time, due to the stretching of the stomach, which leads to the accepted amount. At the same time, metabolic processes are activated and increased.
Two studies showed similar results, which showed that the intake of half a liter of water leads to an increase in metabolic processes by 25-30% within 90 minutes. Calculated in calories burned - intake of 2 liters per day leads to a loss of 96 calories.
It is recommended that water intake be at least 30 minutes before meals and at least 1-2 hours after meals. Drinking colder water requires warming it, which in turn leads to the loss of more calories.