When you can and should drink water: before, during or after a meal
'27.06.2021'
Source: Life hacker
About the relationship of water and food Lifehacker asked gastroenterologist Anna Yurkevich.
Someone advises to drink water before meals, so that it is easier to digest food. Someone says that it is dangerous, because water will dilute the gastric juice, which will slow down the digestion of what is eaten. Where is the truth here? The expert tells.
When it comes to water, it is important not how and when to drink, but how much. Although there are many "buts" here. Let's figure it out.
In nutritional manuals, usually the figure is 25-30 ml / kg - this is exactly how much water is recommended for a person to drink. Of course, this figure is very arbitrary, because how much a person should drink depends on many factors, namely:
- humidity and air temperature
- human body temperature
- weight
- age and gender
- physical activity
- diseases, primarily the urinary system
You need to focus on the signals of your own body, that is, on thirst, learn to recognize it at an early stage. To do this, always have a cup or bottle of water on hand and take a sip once every 30-60 minutes. Drink as long as you want and drink with pleasure.
On the subject: How to determine that you drink too little water
And now about the relationship of water and food.
The fact that water dilutes gastric juice and reduces acidity is certainly a myth.
Otherwise, there would be no need to prescribe drugs to reduce acidity, a cup of water would suffice.
You can drink before, and after, and with food. The question is what is the purpose and volume of the drunk liquid. Water drunk on an empty stomach quickly leaves it: 300 ml leave in 5-15 minutes. Of course, you should not drink a liter of water or more before meals, since the liquid will leave the stomach longer, and together with the food eaten it can stretch its walls and lead to unpleasant sensations.
It is permissible to consume liquid during a meal, especially if we are dealing with a so-called dry dryer. Water in this case will improve the patency of the food lump, soften and crush the food.
If after eating you want to take a few sips of water, this is normal. The main criterion is your desire, that is, thirst and your sensations.
