Incredible as it might 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.

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. Here’s why: The kidneys can’t function properly without enough water. When they don’t work to capacity, some of the load is dumped into 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 kidney’s work, it can’t operate at full throttle. As a result, it metabolizes less fat, more fat remains stored on the body and weight loss stops.

Drinking enough water is also the best treatment for fluid retention. When the body gets less water, it perceives this as a threat to survival and begins to hold onto every drop. Water is stored in extracellular spaces (outside the cells). This shows up as swollen feet, legs and hands. Diuretics offer a temporary solution at best. They force out stored water along with some essential nutrients. Again, the body perceives a threat and will replace the lost water at the first opportunity. Thus the condition quickly returns.

The best way to overcome the problem of water retention is to give the body what it needs plenty of water. Only then will the stored water be released.

If you have a constant problem with water retention, excess salt may be to blame. Your body will tolerate sodium in certain concentration. The more salt you eat, the more water your body retains to dilute it. But getting rid of excess salt is easy just drink more water. As it is forced through the kidneys, it takes away excess sodium.

The overweight person needs more water than the thin one. Larger people have larger metabolic loads. Since we know that water is the key to fat metabolism, it follows that the overweight person needs more water.

Water helps to maintain proper muscle tone by giving the muscles their natural ability to contract and by preventing dehydration. It also helps to prevent the sagging skin that usually follows weight loss shrinking cells are buoyed by water, which plumps the skin and leaves it clear, healthy and resilient.

Water helps rid the body of waste, During weight loss, the body has a lot more waste to get rid of all that metabolized fat must be shed. Water helps flush out that waste.