WATER WORKS: Water as a way to take off weight? Believe it.

Kim Benjamin, executive director of Bradford Water Authority,
has always promoted the benefits of our bountiful and clean water
supply — for good reason. Water will some day be more precious than
oil, we believe.

But as a weight-loss solution?

Kim wrote us as the new year was turning: “Time once again for a
myriad of New Year’s resolutions by RTS readers everywhere. Like
lousy Christmas gifts and electronic devices that time has passed
by, these faithful promises to ourselves on Jan. 1 are usually out
at the curb by the first pick-up day.”

He added, “But for those who have the resolve to adhere to just
one simple action — improved health and, yes, even individual load
loss — it’s as close as their kitchen tap. Drink more water!

“Henry David Thoreau is widely quoted as saying, ‘Water is the
only drink of the wise man.’ Personally, I prefer Mark Twain’s:
‘Water taken in moderation can’t hurt anybody.’ ”

To support his claim, Kim included an article from the Georgia
Rural Water Journal titled, “Water: Eight Glasses a Day Keeps Fat
Away.”

It contained some interesting information. We quote:

“Incredible as it may seem, water is quite possibly the single
most important catalyst in losing weight and keeping it off.
Although most of us take it for granted, water may be the only true
‘magic potion’ for permanent weight loss,” the story says.

“Water suppresses the appetite naturally and helps the body
metabolize stored fat. Studies have shown that a decrease in water
intake will cause fat deposits to increase, while an increase in
water intake actually can reduce fat deposits.

“Here’s why. The kidneys cannot function properly without enough
water. When they don’t work to capacity, some of their load is
dumped onto the liver. One of the liver’s primary functions is to
metabolize stored fat into usable energy for the body, but if the
liver has to do some of the kidneys’ work, it can’t operate at full
throttle. As a result, it metabolizes less fat; more fat remains
stored in the body, and weight loss stops.”