When can I drink water: before, after or during meals?

When can I drink water: before, after or during meals?

We tell you how to observe the drinking balance and why it is important.

Water helps our body to function harmoniously. However, there are different perceptions and beliefs about its consumption. Some people drink water before a meal to make food easier to digest. And some people are convinced that it is dangerous, because water dilutes gastric juice and thus slows down the digestion process. We decided to understand this difficult question.

Daily norm

The amount of water you drink should be calculated in relation to several factors: humidity and air temperature, body temperature, weight, age and gender, physical activity, possible diseases or predisposition to them. It is practically impossible to form common norms for everyone. Therefore, each of us should listen carefully to his body and be guided by its signals. It is important to learn to recognize thirst at an early stage. Try to track your needs. To do this, take a sip of water every 30-60 minutes and drink as long as you want and drink with pleasure.

When should you drink water?

It is also important to keep a balance between water and food. Water does not dilute gastric juice or reduce acidity. This is a well-established myth. You can drink before, after, or during meals. It all depends on your goals.

Water, drunk on an empty stomach, goes out of it quite quickly: 300 ml – maximum in 15 minutes. Of course, you should drink it sensibly. A liter of drunk water takes longer to leave the stomach, and together with the food eaten can stretch its walls, which will lead to quite unpleasant sensations.

It is acceptable to consume liquids during meals, especially if the food is dry. So water will improve the passage of the food clump and soften the food. Water after a meal is also the norm, if your body requires it. There are no clear rules and formulas. Focus on your wants and needs. Learn to listen to your body.