Drinking water before meals can modestly reduce caloric intake—about 75-90 calories less per meal. Research by Davy found that 500ml of water before meals reduced energy intake in overweight adults. Dennis showed over 12 weeks, pre-meal water drinkers lost about 2 kg more than controls. The mechanism: water adds stomach volume, contributing to earlier fullness signals. It’s not magic, but it’s a simple intervention with no downside.
This companion covers the research, why it works, practical application, what it doesn’t do, building the habit, and tea as an alternative. (4 min read)