21/07/2026
1. Water is required for a chemical process called lipolysis (fat breakdown) and when we're dehydrated, this process is slowed down.
2. The brain often confuses thirst with hunger. Staying hydrated can reduce appetite by increasing levels of satiety (the feeling of fullness).
3. Dehydration slows down our metabolism and triggers the release of stress hormones that may encourage the body to store fat.
Fun fact: drinking cold water actually increases our metabolism. This is because our bodies must expend more energy to warm it up (water induced thermogenesis).
For those of you that appreciate the science and physiology, please continue reading below 👇
Lipolysis is the process by which fat is broken down and used for energy. Stored fats (triglycerides) are broken down into free fatty acids and glycerol to be used for energy.
This process takes place predominantly in adipose (fat) tissue - yes, fat is a metabolically active tissue. Lipolysis is regulated by hormones such as glucagon, insulin, and adrenaline.
Enzymes called lipases breaks down the triglycerides into 3 fatty acids and 1 glycerol. The fatty acids enter the blood stream and will be transported to muscle tissue to begin another process called beta-oxodation (mitochondrial metabolic pathway. On the other hand, glycerol will go to the liver to undergo a process called gluconeogenesis (the synthesis of glucose from non-carb sources).
From there, the process continues with the fatty acids being broken down into Acetyl-CoA to generate ATP via the Citric Acid Cycle.
This is just 1% of what Exercise Physiologists need to know to do what we do! 🤓
