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It is a myth that drinking water during or before a meal slows down the digestion process. However, drinking water during or after meals breaks down and processes the food. Drinking water during a meal will improve the digestive system by helping the food move more easily through the intestines and ease digestion.
Studies suggest no evidence that drinking water with meals may disturb digestion and cause health problems.
Role of water in digestion
- Break down food so that the body can absorb various nutrients
- Softens stool
- A lack of water leads to hard stools or constipation
- Makes you feel full and helps avoid overeating
- Activates the antioxidants, phytochemicals, potassium, and vitamin C
- Boosts energy levels and makes you feel the active whole day
What is a healthy digestive process?
The digestion process starts soon after the food enters the mouth, and you are chewing. The salivary glands start secreting saliva, which contains enzymes that break down foods.
Then, the food enters the stomach and combines with the digestive juices, forming a thick paste-like substance called chyme. Chyme enters the small intestine, which further breaks down food using digestive enzymes. All the essential nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream here.
Once all the nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream, the remaining wastes are excreted through stools.
3 benefits of drinking water during meal
- Improves digestion: Helps move food easily in the digestive system and thus, helps break down food and absorb the nutrients in the bloodstream.
- Helps lose weight: Can help you pause between bites, providing you time to check your hunger and fullness signals. This can help you avoid overeating and lose weight.
- Prevents constipation, bloating, and indigestion: Eases the process of digestion and results in softer stools, alleviating constipation, bloating, and indigestion.
Are there any side effects of drinking water during the meal?
The side effects are:
- Can reduce appetite and cause insulin spikes just like high glycemic foods do
- The spike in insulin levels in the body may result in increased blood sugar levels
- Loss of appetite due to the fullness may result in acidity or worsening of chronic acidity
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SLIDESHOW
Foods That Aren't as Healthy as You Think See Slideshow5 health benefits of water
- Lubricates your joints: Acts like a lubricant for your joints and bones. It hydrates the cartilage between your joints, making it easier to move.
- Helps organs and cells work together properly: Plays an important role in the proper working of organs, from the cellular level to the organ system level, such as hair growth, wound healing, and hormone regulation.
- Boost your energy levels: Helps ease the flow of blood and oxygen to various organs and boosts energy levels. Try drinking a big glass of water immediately after you wake up.
- Regulates body temperature: Helps regulate the body temperature by adjusting internal body temperature to the external temperature in the surrounding.
- Improves skin health: Skin is exposed to various toxins. Water flushes out toxins and helps maintain healthy skin.
What are the best times to drink water?
- Immediately after you wake up, have water to hydrate your body after the overnight fast to get energized.
- Whenever you sweat, on hot sunny days, while using hot tubs, or during vigorous workouts, to help cool down your body and hydrate.
- Before and after your exercise to replace the amount of sweat released.
- When you are sick, hydrate yourself, especially in the case of high fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. Stay away from alcohol and caffeinated drinks which can make you dehydrated.
- During menstruation, water eases cramps.
- Before eating a meal and during meals, drink water to ease digestion and help lose weight.
- Fluid intake can relieve pain.
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Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Does drinking water during or after a meal affect or disturb digestion? https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/digestion/faq-20058348
Best Times to Drink Water. https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-best-times-drink-water
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