Counting calories and choosing high-fiber foods are classic strategies. But one often-overlooked factor is the type of water you drink.
While water is the go-to replacement for calorie-laden drinks like lemonade or iced tea, there’s a surprising detail that could impact your weight loss efforts: carbon dioxide.
This was reported by the magazine Freundin.
How Sparkling Water Affects Hunger
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition revealed an unexpected connection between carbonated water and hunger. The research found that sparkling water can stimulate the hunger hormone ghrelin.
Ghrelin sends signals to the brain, telling the body it needs food.
Elevated levels of this hormone can increase appetite—a situation you want to avoid when trying to cut calories.
Although sparkling water doesn’t contain any calories and won’t directly cause weight gain, it can inadvertently lead to overeating. For those aiming to reduce their food intake, sparkling water might be an invisible obstacle to success.
A Tasty Alternative: Infused Water
The simplest solution is to switch to still water.
However, many people find plain water too bland. This is where infused water comes in. Adding slices of lemon, fresh mint, or a touch of ginger can elevate the flavor while providing additional benefits.
Lemon: Supports fat burning.
Ginger: Stimulates metabolism.
Mint: May help reduce cravings for sweets.
Losing weight is all about making small, consistent choices that add up over time. Opting for still water over sparkling may seem insignificant, but it could make a meaningful difference in your weight loss journey.
Make water your trusted ally in the fight against unwanted kilos!
