In my video series starting with how to get the weight loss benefits of

a Fedro without the risks, I noted how drinking water affects the release of the adrenal

hormone nor adrenaline, making it the safest metabolic

booster for weight loss, and recommended drinking two cups of cold water on an empty

stomach a few times a day, ideally before meals as a form of that negative calorie

preloading, as I discuss in my video evidence-based weight loss. But what about just staying

hydrated in general?

In a national survey, one of the weight control practices most associated with successful

weight loss was drink plenty of water.

But it was also associated with unsuccessful attempts at weight loss.

It's just one of the most popular weight loss tips across

the board, both in the mainstream media, and a common recommendation given to patients by

their physicians. But does it work? Can we just add water? About a dozen studies have

been published on the matter, and overall there does appear to be a weight-reducing benefit to increase water consumption. What's the obvious confounder, though?

Confounding factors, also known as lurking variables, are some third element that ends up being

the true explanation for a supposed link between two things. Here's a textbook example. There may be a

tight correlation between ice cream sales and drowning deaths. But that doesn't mean ice cream

causes drowning, a more likely explanation is that there's a lurking third variable like hot

weather, summertime. That explains why drowning deaths are highest when ice cream

consumption is at its peak.

So what might be a confounding factor that offers an alternate explanation of why those who

drink more tend to lose more weight?

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