Effect of Pre-meal Water Consumption on Energy Intake and Satiety in Non-obese Young Adults

Abstract

I determined whether water consumption reduces energy intake and affects satiety in non-obese young adults. The final subjects consisted of 15 individuals (8 women and 7 men) with average ages of 26.4 and 23.5 years for women and men, respectively. When subjects drank water before eating a test meal, they ate a lower amount of the test meal compared to eating test meals under waterless and postload water conditions (preload water: 123.3 g vs. waterless: 161.7 g or postload water: 163.3 g, p < 0.05). Water consumption after eating a test meal did not affect energy intake. When the subjects drank water before eating a test meal, despite consuming a lower amount, the subjects did not feel significantly less satiety than eating meals under waterless or postload water conditions. The finding that pre-meal water consumption led to a significant reduction in meal energy intake in young adults suggests that pre-meal water consumption may be an effective weight control strategy, although the mechanism of action is unknown.

The Effect of Acute Hypohydration on Indicators of Glycemic Regulation, Appetite, Metabolism and Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Sufficient nutrient intake is essential to maximize subsequent exercise performance and to support training adaptations through replenishment of glycogen stores [40] and promotion of muscle protein synthesis [41]. Conversely, for someone seeking weight reduction, increasing water intake is often recommended with the rationale this could decrease energy intake at a meal and decrease hunger [42,43]. While chronic underhydration has been associated with obesity [22], other reports suggest hypohydration reduces subsequent food intake [37].…”

The Effect of Water Intake on Body Mass Index in Universitas Sumatera Utara Medical Students

“…When a person consumes water before breakfast, it will slow down gastric emptying to trigger feelings of fullness and reduce hunger. In addition, food intake will also decrease when drinking water before breakfast [13]. Water consumption can also stimulate the sympathetic nerves to increase metabolic rate, such as triggering thermogenesis and increasing energy expenditure.…”

Effect of high-intensity interval training and pre-meal water consumption on lipid profile in overweight and obese students

“…Health experts commonly recommend consuming eight glasses of water to maintain health and well-being. Consuming more water than normally consumed at mealtimes (breakfast, lunch and dinner) under dietary recommendations can reduction in meal energy intake (Jeong, 2018). Another recommended and suggested action to maintain health and fitness is by doing physical activity.…”

“…Another study indicated that overweight and obese adult subjects lost weight by consuming two cups (500 mL) of plain water 1-2 hours before mealtime (lunch and dinner) (Dennis et al, 2011). Therefore, taking pre-meal water to reduce meal energy intake can be an effective weight control strategy (Jeong, 2018).…”