Sit at the dinner table, and you'd find yourself invariably extending your hand to the glass of water on the side of your plate. While you may think it's absolutely necessary to have a glass of water during your meals, the truth is this habit of yours might be damaging your health. Read on to find out how.
1. It Dilutes your Gastric Juices-When the digestive acids (acids responsible for the digestion and breakdown of food as well as for killing infectious agents ingested with food) present in your stomach are diluted with water, they bring about a slowdown in the functioning of your entire digestive system. This slowdown results in food remaining lodged in your stomach for a longer period than normal, thereby causing indigestion.
Additionally, the reaction caused by the dilution of water and stomach acids can give rise to cramps in your tummy.
2. It Reduces the Saliva in your Mouth -The same thing that happens to the acids in your stomach, happens to your saliva as well. Water dilutes the saliva, which stops the breakdown of food in your mouth. Also, your saliva is responsible for stimulating your stomach to release digestive enzymes and prepare itself for the process of digestion. By drinking water with your meals, such signals sent by your saliva to your stomach become much weaker. All these together can make digestion very difficult.
3. It Causes Acidity -Studies show that drinking water with your meals not only leads to the dilution of digestive enzymes, but also brings about a reduction in the secretion of digestive enzymes. This causes the undigested food in your stomach to leak into the lower part of your oesophagus (food pipe), causing acidity and heart burn.
4. It increases insulin Production-Sipping on water in the middle of lunch (or any other meal for that matter) causes a spike in your insulin levels just as glycaemic foods (foods with high starch or sugar content such as honey, potatoes, white bread, rice to name a few) would. When your body is unable to digest food properly, it usually tends to convert the glucose filled part of that food into fat and stores it, reason why your blood sugar levels see an upsurge.
5. It Adds to your Weight -Since drinking water causes an increase in insulin levels in your body (as the food you eat is converted to fat), it can result in the piling of extra weight on your body. This is because a weak digestive system is one of the major causes behind obesity.
Try having your meals with less salt and drink water 30 minutes before each meal to control your thirst when you're eating. This can help you in controlling the negative effects that drinking water with your meals can have on your health.
Make a wise choice and stay healthy. Feel free to ask me more questions you might have.
FAQs
Drinking water is believed to cause acidity because your stomach will absorb as much water as it can while you are eating and drinking. This can dilute gastric juices and slow down the process of digestion. With undigested food sitting in your system, the result is acid reflux and heartburn.
What is the effect of eating and drinking water at the same time? ›
The result is undigested food leaks into your system, as it gets absorbed through the walls of your stomach. This will also give rise to acid reflux and heart burn. (3) Drinking water with meals can also cause a surge in your insulin levels, almost like the way high glycemic food would affect you.
Is it bad to drink with food in your mouth? ›
Drinking liquids — water, alcohol, or acidic drinks — with meals is unlikely to harm your digestion.
Does drinking water with food cause acid reflux? ›
Drinking water with meals MAY trigger reflux symptoms in people with GORD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) – simply because the extra water can add volume to your stomach.
Why shouldn't you drink while eating? ›
"There's so much misinformation out there on this topic," says Ali Miller, RD, CDE integrative dietitian and owner of Naturally Nourished. "But yes, this practice can do more harm than good. Excessive liquids during meals can lead to bloating, indigestion, and even nutrient malabsorption."
How long after eating should I wait to drink water? ›
Most advice says that drinking water at least 30 minutes after eating is suitable for the movement of organs in the body.
How long should you wait between eating and drinking water? ›
Sipping warm water during meals aids digestion. Wait 30 minutes to an hour after meals before drinking water. In Ayurveda, the ancient system of traditional medicine originating in India, the timing of activities, including water consumption, is considered essential for maintaining overall health and well-being.
How long should I wait to drink water after eating apples? ›
You should drink water one hour after eating fruits. This is due to the fact that drinking water immediately after eating dilutes the gastric juice and digestive enzymes required for digestion. Dilution of gastric juice reduces the secretion of digestive enzymes, which can cause heartburn and acidity.
Does drinking water with meals help lose weight? ›
So, should you bump up hydration by drinking water before or during meals, or even at other times during the day? Some evidence does suggest this might aid weight loss, at least for some people. But those studies are mostly small or short-term, or based on animal data. Even positive studies only found modest benefits.
When shouldn't we drink water? ›
Remember not to drink too soon before or after a meal as the water will dilute the digestive juices. Drink water an hour after the meal to allow the body to absorb the nutrients.
Is it bad to drink water after eating? One of the strongest cases against drinking water after meal is that it disturbs the digestive process, by diluting the gastric juices and digestive enzymes. This makes it difficult for the body to digest food effectively.
Is it good to drink water immediately after waking up? ›
Your body uses up its water supply during the night when you sleep and you don't always wake up in the middle of the night to refill your water stores. That is why you should drink water as soon as you wake up, it will rehydrate you.
What happens when you drink water while eating? ›
Picco, M.D. There's no concern that water thins down or weakens down (dilute) the digestive juices or interfere with digestion. In fact, drinking water during or after a meal helps how your body breaks down and processes food (digestion). Water is vital for good health.
What are signs of too much water? ›
However, if you suspect you may be overhydrated, look for symptoms like cloudy thinking, nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness, spasms or cramps and headaches. In severe cases symptoms could include mental confusion, seizures, unconsciousness and even coma.
Why should we not drink water after eating bananas? ›
Bananas contain a significant amount of soluble fiber. Eating them with too much water can dilute the gastric juices in the stomach, which can eventually slow down digestion. It's generally better to eat bananas on their own or with foods that complement their texture and flavor.
Why should we not drink water while standing? ›
Never drink water while standing because you would suffer from indigestion. If you drink water in a standing position, it can cause ulcers and heartburn. The reason is the liquid that you drink ends up splashing in the esophagus which disturbs the sphincter.
What happens when you swallow food with water? ›
If you swallow food with water instead of chewing it properly , the nutrients which are released by chewing in the mouth get flushed away through improper digestion. If you don't like vegetables don't have them. Swallowing with water doesn't help.
What happens when you drink water in the stomach? ›
As you drink water, it enters your stomach and is quickly processed through to your small intestine. The large intestine (colon) also absorbs some water. Nearly all the water is absorbed into the bloodstream from the small intestine.
What does Ayurveda say about drinking water while eating? ›
A simple sutra mentioned in DravDravyadi Vidyaaneya Adhyay describing effects of water intake while having food, after intake of food and before intake of food. It has clearly stated that a person who drinks water while consuming food continues to remain in same state of health i.e swastha (Healthy).
