Research paper
Thornton SN. Increased Hydration Can Be Associated with Weight Loss. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2016 Jun 10;3:18. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2016.00018
Why we cite it
A mini-review proposing that increased hydration leads to weight loss through two pathways: decreased food intake and increased fat loss via lipolysis. Synthesizes animal evidence (rodent RAS manipulation studies) and human evidence (epidemiological associations and pre-meal water loading trials) into a hypothesis connecting chronic mild dehydration, elevated angiotensin II, and metabolic disease. Identifies multiple mechanisms including cell volume expansion, water-induced thermogenesis, and natriuretic peptide activation.
About the author
Simon N. Thornton, PhD, is a retired Full Professor in Neurosciences at the Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France, affiliated with INSERM U1116. His research focuses on the neurobiology of thirst and fluid regulation, particularly the hypothesis that chronic hypohydration contributes to obesity and metabolic disease through the renin-angiotensin system. He co-authored the chapter “The neurobiology of thirst and sodium appetite” (2016) and has published on hydration effects across metabolism, sleep apnoea, and vascular function.