Does water have any calories? Well, some water may, and others may not. This article answers some questions people have, such as: How many calories does water have? Is water calorie free? Is water a beverage? What should you drink to lose weight? Well the answers might be a little different than you may think, so keep reading to find out the answers. 

Water is essential for human life, as it is necessary for almost all of your body's functions. The adult human body is made up of around 60% water, with babies being made up of even more.

If water is so important to our bodies, it seems that it should have some nutritional value, but the answer may surprise you.

Unflavored Water

If we’re just talking about plain, unflavored water, you may be surprised to learn that it has zero calories. Not only does unflavored water have no calories, but it also has zero carbs, sugars, fibers, fat, or protein. But how is something so necessary for your body seemingly so devoid of sustenance? Well, your body uses it constantly. It’s essential for almost everything like organ function, bringing nutrients to cells, metabolic actions, aiding digestion, lubricating joints, maintaining healthy skin, and many more necessary bodily functions. 

Is all water made the same?

Although basic unflavored water doesn’t have any calories, what about different types of carbonated and vitamin waters? 

Carbonated Water

Carbonated water, sometimes called sparkling water, usually has zero calories. If the type of carbonated water you’re drinking is completely unflavored and is just carbonated water, then it won’t have any calories in it. This is because it’s just normal water that has been infused with pressurized CO2, which is also known as carbon dioxide. Sometimes, though, they may be sweetened with sugars or contain other additives. In these cases, the sparkling water would contain calories because of the things that were added. 

Lemon Water

Another common water variant is lemon water. Although lemon water contains some calories, it’s a very small amount. An entire lemon usually contains around 17 calories, and chances are you’re not going to be using an entire lemon in your lemon water. Just a slice or two is definitely enough for most people. Putting some lemon juice in your water can also have some surprising health benefits! First of all, lemons are high in vitamin C, which can help do things like boost your immune system, produce collagen, and aid in iron absorption! Lemon juice also contains powerful antioxidants that are healthy for your body!

Vitamin Water

Although not all vitamin-infused water is made the same, most of the leading brands do contain quite a bit of water. Some types of vitamin water even have close to the same amount of sugar as sugary sodas do! Keep that in mind when looking for certain types of vitamin waters, and always be sure to check the nutritional labels if you’re worried about how many calories a drink might contain. 

Coconut Water

If you’re going for water without calories, coconut water might not be the route to go, as one cup of coconut water contains around 45 calories. Although they have more calories than most other types of water, that doesn’t mean it’s unhealthy for you! Not only is coconut water low in sugar (but still naturally sweet), but it also contains vitamins and magnesium. Coconut water also contains electrolytes and amino acids, which are also both very healthy for you. 

Water While Walking

If you’re planning to go on a walk or exercise, make sure to bring some water with. If it’s hot outside or you’re someone who sweats a lot, you may need to drink more water than average., If you want to be sure about knowing when to take a drink while on a long walk, here’s a good rule of thumb. Every 2000 steps, try to take a drink of water while using an accurate step tracker like Stompers to make sure you’re keeping count. Although if your mouth starts getting dry, and you feel thirsty, make sure to listen to your body and have some more water. If you’re going on a walk for longer than 90 minutes, it’s also suggested to bring a salty snack, or drink something with some electrolytes in it as well to help make up for the salt you lost through your sweat.4

Water Health Benefits

As we said previously water is something that is necessary for your body, but you might be curious what kind of health benefits come with being well hydrated.  

Weight Management

As we talked about previously, water is nature's calorie-free drink! That means drinking water instead of sugary, calorie-filled drinks. 

Energy and Fatigue

Feeling drained? If so, the issue might fall on not staying hydrated enough. Water is essential for your body to maintain energy levels. Water is used in your body to help transport nutrients to your cells, as well as get rid of waste products. Without enough water in your system, feeling sluggish and foggy is very common. So, the next time you’re feeling fatigued and worn out, try seeing what a couple of glasses of water might do for you. 

Supports Healthy Digestion

Your digestive system is very dependent on water. Water is used in the process of breaking down foods, making it easier to absorb nutrients. Without enough water, your gastrointestinal system struggles, potentially leading to discomfort, bloating, or irregularity. If you’re looking for smoother digestion, staying hydrated is a natural and effective way to keep things moving.

Healthy Skin

Clear skin is usually a good reflection of hydration status. Being dehydrated can often create dry skin, and can lead to premature wrinkles. If that’s not something you’re hoping for, make it a priority to stay healthy and hydrated. Although water alone probably won’t be enough to cure a skin condition, it can often still be a big help in progressing to healthier skin. 

Helps Brain Functions

Sometimes being mildly dehydrated can worsen your mood, as well as overall cognitive function. If you’re trying to stay mentally sharp, make sure to stay hydrated. Your brain is made up of around 80% water, so you need to keep it hydrated if you’re expecting peak performance.

Regulates Body Temperature

Water can help regulate your body temperature. Water is necessary to sweat, which is a vital process that helps cool down your body. 

Muscle Building

If you’re trying to build muscle, it’s very important to get enough water in. Water is necessary for a process called protein synthesis, which allows your body to build muscle. It’s also used to transport important nutrients like glucose and amino acids to your muscle cells. Water helps provide electrolytes to your muscles, which allow them to operate properly. Without enough water, building muscle will be very difficult. If you’re trying to become a bodybuilder or are one, some experts recommend drinking at least three entire liters of water a day! 

The Takeaway

Water is a vital resource to your overall health and something you need in order to stay healthy. It helps with a lot of your bodily functions like organ health, weight management, energy, digestion, brain functions, regulating body temperature, muscle building, and many more important things necessary for a healthy body. Water normally has absolutely zero calories, but certain flavored water might.