AN AMERICAN STUDY has suggested that dieters could be able to lose weight more quickly by simply having some water before their meals.

Scientists in Virginia split 48 test subjects into two groups and discovered that those who drank two glasses of water before low-calorie meals three times a day lost an average of 5lbs more than those who ate the same meals without a pre-meal drink.

The watered group lost an average of 15.5lb each – just a few ounces short of a full stone – while the regular group lost roughly 11lbs each. All of those taking part were aged between 55 and 75.

A previous study dealing with similar control groups found that people who drank two glasses of water before a meal ate between 75 and 90 calories less per meal.

It is suspected that the extra weight loss can be simply attributed to the fact that water, which contains no calories, fills the stomach and basically makes the subject less hungry.

It is important to note, however, that the weight loss would have been the same had both sets of diners always finished each meal.

Brenda Davy, a professor who led the survey, advised dieters to ”drink more water and less sugary, high-calorie drinks. It’s a simple way to facilitate weight management.”

Dieticians have warned that drinking too much water can lead to serious health problems, however, while also leaving dieters at risk of not gaining enough nutrition.