Is
it beneficial to drink while you eat? It seems there are a few schools
of thought when it comes to drinking while eating and although there may
not necessarily be one right way, it is clear there are some things to
avoid.
Our body’s perform a number of processes
while eating and digesting so it’s important to understand and consider
each while determining if drinking water while eating is best for us.
- Our mouthes create saliva while eating as it contains digestive
enzymes to help break down food. These enzymes are very important in
creating a healthy digestive process.
- Our stomachs contain gastric juices that aid in digestion and are
instrumental in killing any bacteria we might consume in the food we
eat. It is important these juices function properly as they help break
down food and allow the stomach to contract and pulverize food into a
state that can be pushed to the small intestine.
- The liver is also important as once nutrients are taken from the
food we eat they are sent through the bloodstream to the liver. From
there, the liver distributes the nutrients to different areas of the
body. It determines what to keep for later and what to utilize right
away. The liver requires an ample amount of water to function and do its
job properly.
To Drink or Not to Drink
The main area of debate is whether or
not drinking water during a meal is harmful or beneficial to the
digestive process. There is no doubting the fact that drinking too much
water during meals can interfere with the natural and necessary levels
of bile and stomach acid. This would slow the digestion process and
reduce the body’s ability to produce enough digestive enzymes to digest
foods properly. Without proper digestion, a build up of toxic waste can
occur no matter what you are eating. We can apply the
same principles when thinking about other beverages we might consume
during a meal. In the case of alcoholic drinks and acidic beverages like
soda, they tend to dry up the saliva your glands have produced, making
it even more difficult to properly digest food. Drinking water or other
beverages while they are cold also slows down digestion and can create
cramping in some individuals.
It is clear that drinking water before
and after you eat aids the digestive process. The general consensus on
this is that drinking water about 30 minutes before you eat will help
keep the body hydrated which results in optimal digestion. For the
liver, this is also important as overall body hydration aids in optimal
liver performance. Drinking water about 30 minutes after can also assist
in hydrating the body through the latter parts of digestion and
replenish the lost liquids from digestion. It is important to note that
drinking water during a meal would be more beneficial than not drinking
while eating if you are not properly hydrated before hand. Eating while
dehydrated can cause the body to have a very tough time digesting food.
The Other Side of The Coin
It’s also important to mention that according to Michael F Picco, M.D. and the MayoClinic: “There’s
no concern that water will dilute the digestive juices or interfere
with digestion. In fact, drinking water during or after a meal actually
aids digestion. Water and other liquids help break down food so that
your body can absorb the nutrients. Water also softens stools, which
helps prevent constipation.” While they do not make any mention of
temperature or amount of water, and don’t reference their statement, it
is clear they feel drinking while eating is generally OK.
Tips
Based on the information presented, when
thinking about how to approach eating meals yourself, there are several
tips we can apply. It appears most beneficial to stay hydrated
throughout the day and if you must drink while you eat, avoid drinking
too much, as well as alcohol and acidic drinks. Drink warm water and
drink it sparingly. A small glass will likely not interfere with
digestion and by adding a dash of apple cider vinegar or lemon, you can
aid in the digestive process further. If you can, you might want to try
drinking 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after a meal with no drinking
during, see how you feel. If it works for you, then stick with what
works, if not, adjust accordingly. Listening to and becoming more
conscious of your body and body awareness is a great step to take when
thinking about new foods and how you treat your body. Sometimes going
with what the body feels and wants is more important than staying rigid
to information. Things change, the body changes, flow with it. Listen to
your body!
- See more at: http://www.collective-evolution.com/2013/07/02/is-drinking-water-while-eating-good-for-you/#sthash.yCgbxOqX.dpuf
Is
it beneficial to drink while you eat? It seems there are a few schools
of thought when it comes to drinking while eating and although there may
not necessarily be one right way, it is clear there are some things to
avoid.
Our body’s perform a number of processes
while eating and digesting so it’s important to understand and consider
each while determining if drinking water while eating is best for us.
- Our mouthes create saliva while eating as it contains digestive
enzymes to help break down food. These enzymes are very important in
creating a healthy digestive process.
- Our stomachs contain gastric juices that aid in digestion and are
instrumental in killing any bacteria we might consume in the food we
eat. It is important these juices function properly as they help break
down food and allow the stomach to contract and pulverize food into a
state that can be pushed to the small intestine.
- The liver is also important as once nutrients are taken from the
food we eat they are sent through the bloodstream to the liver. From
there, the liver distributes the nutrients to different areas of the
body. It determines what to keep for later and what to utilize right
away. The liver requires an ample amount of water to function and do its
job properly.
To Drink or Not to Drink
The main area of debate is whether or
not drinking water during a meal is harmful or beneficial to the
digestive process. There is no doubting the fact that drinking too much
water during meals can interfere with the natural and necessary levels
of bile and stomach acid. This would slow the digestion process and
reduce the body’s ability to produce enough digestive enzymes to digest
foods properly. Without proper digestion, a build up of toxic waste can
occur no matter what you are eating. We can apply the
same principles when thinking about other beverages we might consume
during a meal. In the case of alcoholic drinks and acidic beverages like
soda, they tend to dry up the saliva your glands have produced, making
it even more difficult to properly digest food. Drinking water or other
beverages while they are cold also slows down digestion and can create
cramping in some individuals.
It is clear that drinking water before
and after you eat aids the digestive process. The general consensus on
this is that drinking water about 30 minutes before you eat will help
keep the body hydrated which results in optimal digestion. For the
liver, this is also important as overall body hydration aids in optimal
liver performance. Drinking water about 30 minutes after can also assist
in hydrating the body through the latter parts of digestion and
replenish the lost liquids from digestion. It is important to note that
drinking water during a meal would be more beneficial than not drinking
while eating if you are not properly hydrated before hand. Eating while
dehydrated can cause the body to have a very tough time digesting food.
The Other Side of The Coin
It’s also important to mention that according to Michael F Picco, M.D. and the MayoClinic: “There’s
no concern that water will dilute the digestive juices or interfere
with digestion. In fact, drinking water during or after a meal actually
aids digestion. Water and other liquids help break down food so that
your body can absorb the nutrients. Water also softens stools, which
helps prevent constipation.” While they do not make any mention of
temperature or amount of water, and don’t reference their statement, it
is clear they feel drinking while eating is generally OK.
Tips
Based on the information presented, when
thinking about how to approach eating meals yourself, there are several
tips we can apply. It appears most beneficial to stay hydrated
throughout the day and if you must drink while you eat, avoid drinking
too much, as well as alcohol and acidic drinks. Drink warm water and
drink it sparingly. A small glass will likely not interfere with
digestion and by adding a dash of apple cider vinegar or lemon, you can
aid in the digestive process further. If you can, you might want to try
drinking 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after a meal with no drinking
during, see how you feel. If it works for you, then stick with what
works, if not, adjust accordingly. Listening to and becoming more
conscious of your body and body awareness is a great step to take when
thinking about new foods and how you treat your body. Sometimes going
with what the body feels and wants is more important than staying rigid
to information. Things change, the body changes, flow with it. Listen to
your body!
- See more at: http://www.collective-evolution.com/2013/07/02/is-drinking-water-while-eating-good-for-you/#sthash.yCgbxOqX.dpuf
Is
it beneficial to drink while you eat? It seems there are a few schools of
thought when it comes to drinking while eating and although there may not
necessarily be one right way, it is clear there are some things to avoid.
Our
body’s perform a number of processes while eating and digesting so it’s
important to understand and consider each while determining if drinking water
while eating is best for us.
- Our mouthes create saliva while eating as it contains
digestive enzymes to help break down food. These enzymes are very
important in creating a healthy digestive process.
- Our stomachs contain gastric juices that aid in
digestion and are instrumental in killing any bacteria we might consume in
the food we eat. It is important these juices function properly as they
help break down food and allow the stomach to contract
and pulverize food into a state that can be pushed to the small
intestine.
- The liver is also important as once nutrients are taken
from the food we eat they are sent through the bloodstream to the liver.
From there, the liver distributes the nutrients to different areas of the
body. It determines what to keep for later and what to utilize right away.
The liver requires an ample amount of water to function and do its job
properly.
To Drink or Not to Drink
The
main area of debate is whether or not drinking water during a meal is harmful
or beneficial to the digestive process. There is no doubting the fact that
drinking too much water during meals can interfere with the natural and
necessary levels of bile and stomach acid. This would slow the digestion
process and reduce the body’s ability to produce enough digestive enzymes to
digest foods properly. Without proper digestion, a build up of toxic waste can
occur no matter what you are eating. We can apply the same
principles when thinking about other beverages we might consume during a meal.
In the case of alcoholic drinks and acidic beverages like soda, they tend to
dry up the saliva your glands have produced, making it even more difficult to
properly digest food. Drinking water or other beverages while they are cold
also slows down digestion and can create cramping in some individuals.
It
is clear that drinking water before and after you eat aids the digestive
process. The general consensus on this is that drinking water about 30 minutes
before you eat will help keep the body hydrated which results in optimal
digestion. For the liver, this is also important as overall body hydration aids
in optimal liver performance. Drinking water about 30 minutes after can also
assist in hydrating the body through the latter parts of digestion and
replenish the lost liquids from digestion. It is important to note that
drinking water during a meal would be more beneficial than not drinking while
eating if you are not properly hydrated before hand. Eating while dehydrated
can cause the body to have a very tough time digesting food.
The Other Side of The Coin
It’s
also important to mention that according to Michael F Picco, M.D. and the
MayoClinic: “There’s no concern that water will dilute the digestive juices
or interfere with digestion. In fact, drinking water during or after a meal
actually aids digestion. Water and other liquids help break down food so that
your body can absorb the nutrients. Water also softens stools, which helps
prevent constipation.” While they do not make any mention of temperature or
amount of water, and don’t reference their statement, it is clear they feel
drinking while eating is generally OK.
Tips
Based
on the information presented, when thinking about how to approach eating meals
yourself, there are several tips we can apply. It appears most beneficial to
stay hydrated throughout the day and if you must drink while you eat, avoid
drinking too much, as well as alcohol and acidic drinks. Drink warm water and
drink it sparingly. A small glass will likely not interfere with digestion
and by adding a dash of apple cider vinegar or lemon, you can aid in the
digestive process further. If you can, you might want to try drinking 30
minutes before and 30 minutes after a meal with no drinking during, see how you
feel. If it works for you, then stick with what works, if not, adjust
accordingly. Listening to and becoming more conscious of your body and body
awareness is a great step to take when thinking about new foods and how you
treat your body. Sometimes going with what the body feels and wants is more
important than staying rigid to information. Things change, the body changes,
flow with it. Listen to your body!
