Consuming water right after meals can impact the body’s digestive process. (Representational image via AP)
Drinking excessive water can be hazardous, but consuming it right after the meals may not also be ideal.
We all know drinking water is important to keep our body hydrated in order to maintain overall well-being. Keeping yourself hydrated is important but when to drink water throughout the day remains quite a disputed question with various studies online to support any claims. Drinking excessive water can be hazardous, but consuming it right after meals may not also be ideal. This could potentially lead to certain issues in the body. How? Let’s find out.
Why Drinking Water After Meals Is Not Beneficial?
Consuming water right after meals can pose certain disadvantages, mainly because it disrupts the body’s digestive process. The gastric juices and digestive enzymes present in the stomach are mostly diluted when water mixes with them. This potentially affects the breaking down process.
This practice is also believed to speed up the digestive process, causing food to move into large intestines more quickly than it should. This accelerated digestion may adversely impact the natural absorption of natural nutrients, showcasing another reason why drinking water right after a meal might not be the best idea.
When you drink water after a meal, you are basically altering with the natural pace it takes to digest food. This can make you feel hungry than usual, which may make you feel hungry faster than expected leading to overeating and bloating issues. Another side-effect of this practice is that diluting gastric juices with excess water may reduce the secretion enzymes, potentially causing heartburn and acidity.
Since consumption of excessive water can disrupt the digestive process, resulting in a buildup of undigested food. The glucose present in this undigested food is converted into fat and stored in the body, leading to potential weight gain. Additionally, this disruption can also trigger a spike in insulin levels, consequently elevating blood sugar levels and increasing the risk of developing diabetes and obesity.
It is recommended to consume a minimum of 2-3 litres of water daily but environmental factors such as temperature and other health conditions may affect your water needs. Many studies claim that having a glass of water around 30 minutes before or after a meal can do wonders.
Therefore, while proper hydration is essential, it is crucial to consider not the quantity but also the timing of water consumption. By being mindful of when we hydrate, we can support our body’s natural digestive processes and optimise better nutrient absorption.