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I'm told there is such a thing as "water weight" which can explain small fluctuations in weight. However, all mentions of "water weight" I've found have been on dieting websites promoting some miracle weight loss solution that will purge water weight from your body. Given that I'm not in the habit of getting my scientific information from snake-oil salesmen, I'm not sure what the scientific status of the notion is.

What is the scientific status of the notion of "water weight"?

HDE 226868
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Dennis
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    Is this water retention? – HDE 226868 Dec 27 '15 at 15:34
  • @HDE226868 I'm not sure, maybe? The article describes water retention as "abnormal". Water weight is discussed as some normal component of our body weight...but I really don't know. Would an otherwise healthy person fluctuate in their levels of water retained? The article suggests that the level of water retention under normal circumstances is constant, so maybe not? – Dennis Dec 27 '15 at 16:49
  • @HDE226868 if you'd like to convert your comment into an answer, it seems you're correct. – Dennis Dec 30 '15 at 16:59
  • @Dennis I'll do so later, when I can. – HDE 226868 Dec 30 '15 at 18:16
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    I don't think people talking about losing water weight in regards to losing weight mean losing the water that comes from things like kidney or heart failure. They usually mean that the first kilo or two you lose quickly are mostly water. But it's your question :-) – YviDe Dec 30 '15 at 18:55
  • @YviDe fair enough counter, I agree that's the intuitive notion, I was just taking it that this was the closest scientific equivalent. Perhaps not, though. – Dennis Dec 30 '15 at 18:58

1 Answers1

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It sounds like what you're talking about is related to water retention, a specialized case of fluid retention, which causes an effect known as edema.

Edema (and thus generalized fluid retention) can be divided into two categories: generalized edema and localized edema. The first occurs all over the body, while the second occurs in only certain parts of the body.

There are various causes of fluid retention. Some include

  • Menstruation
  • Pregnancy
  • Diseases of the heart, liver and kidneys
  • Severe arthritis
  • Certain drugs

The specific cause can determine whether the edema is generalized or localized.

Source: The Better Health Channel (approved by the government of the State of Victoria, Australia)

To be even more general, fluid retention is caused by the swelling or increase in pressure of various cavities within the body, including capillaries, the lymphatic system, and the organs I mentioned before. This can eventually cause ruptures to occur, and fluid will leak out. This in turn will cause edema in various parts of the body - again depending on the cause.

Source: Medical News Today

"Water weight" appears to be referring to the amount of this excess fluid building up outside of these body cavities. "Water retention" refers to the general phenomenon, while "edema" refers to the associated swelling.

So yes, this is a well-documented phenomenon, although the term "water weight" isn't commonly used.

A final note: As YviDe said, the term may simply be used often in a non-technical way, to refer to some of the weight that is quickly lost in some cases.

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