Does the Water Diet Work?

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Can simply drinking water help you lose weight? For 30 days, three people put the water diet challenge to the test.

"I feel lighter actually. I don't seem as restless as I used to be, so maybe that's the caffeine being flushed out of my system," David Young said.

They drank the number of ounces that equaled half their weight, some of that coming from a cup before and after each meal, while keeping the same routine and not dieting, that's the key to the plan.

After two weeks, there was some progress. From having more energy, to clearing up skin problems and even changes in temperament, all three said other than going to the bathroom a lot more often, the diet seemed to be effective in different ways. But the diet was not really effective for the three when it came to weight loss.

So why do people try the water diet? Dietician Karen Meyers spilled the facts.

"I think they're looking for an easy fix and water is a very inexpensive, easy thing to do," Meyers said. "Water is a great tool for weight management, it makes us feel full and we know that sometimes when we think we're hungry we're actually dehydrated."

Experts say the results may vary, they add that water is a great tool to help manage your weight, but the best way to maintain a healthy regimen is exercise, eat right and of course drink lots of liquids.

Here is the formula for the 'water diet':

Take your weight, divide by two and that's how many ounces you consume a day.
The trick is to drink a glass before and after your meal.

Is the 'diet' for everyone?
Dietician Karen Meyers says people who have congestive heart failure or who have kidney disease may have to limit the amount of fluids that they take in. To put them in 64 fluid oz of fluids a day, for example, might put them in danger. The best thing to do is to check with their physician.

Other tips:
Meyers also adds in terms of weight management, you also get water from food you eat, by eating foods that are high in water like fruits and vegetables. There's a study that says if you consume a bowl of broth soup or vegetable soup perhaps or a salad before you eat that you actually consume fewer calories at a meal because those foods are high in water.

Results may vary.