To limit cravings without frustration, Dr. Jean-Michel Cohen relies on a disconcertingly simple slimming tip, accessible to everyone on a daily basis.
The feeling of hunger is not always a real physiological need. It often occurs between meals, dictated by habits, stress or even variations in blood sugar levels. As part of a diet, these repeated cravings can quickly compromise the efforts made. This is why Dr. Jean-Michel Cohen has long been interested in simple solutions to better control appetite without frustration.
Among the strategies mentioned in its slimming approach, some are based on surprisingly simple mechanisms: filling the stomach without caloric intake, stimulating a rapid feeling of satiety and helping the body to “wait” for the next meal. One drink in particular comes back as a discreet but effective ally, capable of acting on the feeling of hunger in just a few minutes, thanks to its volume effect and its light bubbles which modify digestive perception.
It’s simply sparkling water. In his work Know how to lose weight, finally! at First Editions, Dr. Cohen explains that it provides the same hydration as plain water, without calories, but that its carbon dioxide bubbles provide a particular effect: “The bubbles cause gastric distension which sends a signal of satiety to the brain, even if this effect remains relatively fleeting.“Result: the desire to snack can temporarily decrease, which helps you go better between meals without resorting to sugary or fatty snacks.
The doctor also points out that several studies suggest that sparkling water would stimulate the secretion of gastrin, a hormone that promotes digestion, and could reduce the feeling of hunger in the short term. Unlike sugary or alcoholic drinks, it contains no calories: it therefore creates an “appetite suppressant effect” without unbalancing daily energy intake.
However, this slimming tip is not magic. Dr Cohen reminds us that it must be part of a balanced overall food hygiene: “Water, still or sparkling, remains the essential basis of any slimming approach; the rest is just a stopgap.” Sparkling water can be a one-off help, particularly in the middle of the afternoon or early evening, but it does not replace either a structured meal or a varied diet.
Also note: in some sensitive people, sparkling drinks can cause bloating or digestive discomfort, and water rich in sodium should be moderated in cases of hypertension.
It is therefore advisable to adapt your consumption to your personal tolerance. In short, sparkling water will not make you lose weight on its own, but if used correctly, it can become a valuable occasional ally to better manage the small hunger pangs of the day.
