Drinking water during meals is bad for digestion. Our stomach has a knack of knowing when we are going to eat, and releases digestive juices accordingly. If we drink water at the same time, we dilute the digestive juices.
The intake of water along with your meal dilutes digestive enzymes released first in the mouth and then in the stomach. This in turn slows down the digestive process.
Water dilutes the hydrochloric acid released by the stomach. Water and acid combine to form a thick fluid, which is ineffective at digesting the food completely.
The result: bits of undigested food leaks into the system through the permeable digestive lining of the stomach. This gives rise to acid reflux and heart burn.
When the body cannot digest foods well enough, it converts glucose from the food into fat stores in the liver; putting pressure on it as well. This leads to a surge in the insulin levels in the body, increasing overall blood sugar levels.
Instead, combat the reasons for water intake while you eat.
Too much salt in the food can make us thirsty. Sometimes, eating in a hurry can have us reach for water to wash down the food. Not hydrating ourselves enough can also trigger an urge to drink water during mealtime.
Chew the food properly. We secrete a lot of the digestive juices (enzymes) while chewing, and this makes the job easier for our stomach.
You can drink water 20-30 minutes before or after a meal. Having water before your meal will ensure the body is hydrated well for optimal digestion to takes place. Staying hydrated also ensures that the liver is able to extract nutrients better from the food we eat, and re-distribute it throughout the body.
You can also aid digestion by adding half a teaspoon of lime juice to it.
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