Drink more to eat less: study

Drinking more water may help you lose weight, a new study suggests.

People who drank an extra one, two or three cups daily decreased their total energy intake by 68 to 205 calories daily and their sodium intake by 78 to 235 grams.

They also consumed five to 18g less sugar and decreased their cholesterol consumption by seven to 21g daily.

The University of Illinois researchers looked at the dietary habits of more than 18,300 adults.

For the majority of people, drinking just one per cent more water led to a cut in their daily calorie intake.

The impact of plain water intake on diet was similar across race/ethnicity, education and income levels and body weight status.

The findings support running campaigns to promote plain water consumption instead of calorie-laden beverages, the researchers said.