Water during meals may increase food intake

A new study suggests that drinking water again and again while eating may not help with weight loss.

Instead it could actually make people eat more food. Many people believe that taking sips of water during a meal helps them feel full faster leading them to eat less.

However the new research challenges that common belief.

Researchers at Cornell University found that for every extra 100 milliliters of water people drank during a meal they ate about 40 grams more food on average.

This equals roughly 50 extra calories.

The study also found that people who frequently switched between eating and drinking water consumed more food overall than those who did not.

Earlier studies have also shown that people with obesity are more likely to drink water for longer periods during meals drink it more quickly and take frequent sips throughout the meal.

Researchers say these findings suggest that the relationship between drinking water during meals and the amount of food people eat may be different from what was previously believed.

However they stress that more research is needed before any firm conclusions can be made.