Losing weight fast: beware of dehydration

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Extract from the article: Dans le but de vite perdre du poids, plusieurs personnes sont tentés de céder à la facilité plutôt que de contrôler son alimentation. D’où le succès des produits amincissants notamment les tisanes dont la plupart sont des laxatifs permettant de rapi

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In a bid to lose weight fast, many people are tempted to take the easy way out instead of controlling their diet. Hence the success of slimming products, particularly herbal teas, most of which are laxatives that quickly empty the intestines. But beware: too much of a good thing can be fatal.

Most of the time, the aim of laxatives is to keep absorbed food to a minimum. But what if this idea of swallowing laxatives to prevent food from being absorbed was wrong? It is. Because by the time the laxative empties the intestine, the calories consumed have already entered the bloodstream. This gives the illusion of losing weight, but in reality it is water that is eliminated from the body. However, the use of laxatives that "force" the expulsion of faeces should be kept to an occasional minimum, for example when you change your diet while travelling, or when you change the pace of your life.

Consequences of excessive use of laxatives

Systematic use of laxatives makes the intestine lazy and causes serious problems in the long term. An intestine that is not working normally is easily irritated. This leads to inflammation of the mucous membranes and abdominal pain, whatever the food ingested.

Dehydration guaranteed

The human body is made up of 70% water. This water is eliminated through sweat, breathing and urine. It must be replenished by swallowing 1.5 to 2 litres. It's important not to wait until you feel thirsty, as this is a natural sign that your body is dehydrated. Dehydration is harmful. The proof is that you can't live for more than two or three days without drinking water. On the other hand, if you drink without eating, you'll last about forty days. This is where the danger lies in laxatives, whose effects contribute to the elimination of the water contained in our tissues.

Prefer natural fibres

Losing weight while staying healthy requires a balanced diet. To achieve the effects of a laxative, remember to eat a diet rich in fibre. It is found in natural foods that increase the weight of stools and therefore intestinal transit, a volume that is already being exerted in the stomach providing a feeling of satiety. They are found in pectin-rich fruits and vegetables. They are much gentler than laxatives but just as effective, providing the body with the water it needs.

Using laxatives to lose weight leads to water loss, not fat loss

It is very risky to want to lose weight more quickly by taking a laxative, which can be too exhausting over several days. It leads to a loss of water and not of the fat accumulated in the tissues. The risk is dehydration. Laxatives also increase the speed of intestinal transit. This can lead to inflammation of the colon and small intestine. Always favour natural foods rich in fibre, such as fruit, vegetables and legumes, to help you lose weight.

William O.

Article validated by Coura Yasmine Sandrine Zerbo, Nutritionist-Dietician, Specialist in Clinical Nutrition and Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition (Burkina Faso)