Q: How much water is really necessary to lose weight? I always hear eight 8-ounce glasses a day. Is this not too much? And is there a better time of day to drink it than others?
A: Consuming lots of water before bedtime can disturb your sleep, so drinking water throughout the day is better. Eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day is recommended for good health, but water does not directly enhance permanent weight loss. A reduction in calories and an increase in physical activity is the key to successfully losing weight.
— Maryann Davidson, registered dietitian, Erlanger Health System
Readers: To submit a question for a professional dietitian, e-mail it to Anne Braly at abraly@timesfreepress.com. See this space each week for answers.