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Excess body fat is a growing problem around the world as a result of the increasing availability of low cost foodstuffs and declining levels of physical activity. Not only does it look bad, but it can lead to severe health problems such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Fortunately, there are some simple and low cost techniques for acquiring and maintaining a healthy body weight. One of the best techniques for reducing weight and to keep it off is to drink lots of ordinary water, as it helps make one feel fuller sooner and thus reduce eating. (This is, of course, only one of the many important health benefits from water.) A wise idea is to drink a full glass of water every morning after waking and then drink another full glass a few minutes before each meal. Drinking water with meals can also be helpful, particularly if it is drunk in place of calorie-laden soft drinks or full-fat milk. If one must drink soft drinks, which are often a major factor in gaining and retaining weight, then it is also a good idea to drink a glass of water after drinking the soft drink. This is because it will help flush the sugar and various chemicals from the soft drink out of the body. It will also diminish any craving for a second helping. By the way, the water does not have to be expensive bottled water, unless one lives in an area in which the tap water is not safe. In the U.S. and most of Europe the tap water is at least as safe as bottled water. Many consumers do not realize it, but bottled water has potential dangers of its own, including questions about the source of some brands, contamination during bottling and leakage of potentially toxic chemicals from the plastic into the water. Created September 30, 2006. |