Drinking Liquids with Meals: Good or Bad?

Some claim that drinking drinks with food is bad for digestion.

Again some say it can create toxins and result in a variety of health problems.

Naturally, you may think that a simple glass of water with your food can have a negative effect, or if it is some other myth.

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This article provides an evidence-based review of how liquids with food affect your digestion and health.

The Basics of Healthy Digestion

To understand why water interferes with digestion, it first helps to understand the normal digestion process.

Digestion begins in your mouth as soon as you start chewing food. Chewing signals the salivary glands to start producing saliva, which contains enzymes that help break down food.

Once in the stomach, acid gastric juice is mixed into the food, which breaks it down further and it produces a thick liquid known as chimes.

In the small intestine, chyme is mixed with digestive enzymes from the pancreas and bile acids from the liver. These prepare each nutrient for absorption into the bloodstream, further breaking down the chyme.

Most of the nutrients are absorbed as the thyme travels through the small intestine. Only a small portion will be absorbed after reaching the colon.

Once in your bloodstream, nutrients travel to different parts of your body. Digestion is complete when the surplus is removed.

This whole digestive process can take 24 to 72 hours depending on what you eat.

SUMMARY:

During digestion, foods break down in your body so that their nutrients can be absorbed into the bloodstream.

Do liquids cause digestive problems?

Drinking enough liquids a day gives many benefits.

However, some people claim that drinking with food is a bad idea.

Below are three common arguments that claim that liquids, including food, damage your digestion.

Claim 1: Alcohol and acidic drinks negatively affect saliva

Some people argue that drinking acidic or alcoholic beverages with food dries out saliva, making it harder for your body to digest food.

Alcohol reduces saliva flow by 10-15% per unit of alcohol. But it basically refers to the strong spirits, not the low concentration of alcohol in beer and wine.

On the other hand, acidic drinks seem to increase saliva secretion.

Finally, there is no scientific evidence that alcohol or acidic beverages are consumed in moderation, adversely affecting the digestion or absorption of nutrients.

Claim 2: Water, stomach acid, and digestive enzymes

Many claims that drinking water with food lowers stomach acid and digestive enzymes, making it harder for your body to digest food.

However, this statement implies that your digestive system cannot adapt to its frequent meals. This is a lie.

Claim 3: Liquids and digestion speed

A third popular argument against drinking liquids with food is that fluids increase the rate at which solid foods leave the stomach.

It is thought to reduce the time of contact of food with stomach acid and digestive enzymes, resulting in poor digestion.

However, no scientific research supports this claim.

One study that looked at emptying the stomach proved that although fluids pass through the digestive tract faster than solids, they have no effect on the rate of digestion of solid foods.

SUMMARY:

Drinking liquids (water, alcohol, or acidic drinks) with food is not likely to harm your digestion.

May improve Liquids digestion

The liquids help break down large chunks of food, making it easier for them to get down the esophagus and stomach.

These help to move the food smoothly to prevent food and constipation.

Additionally, your stomach secretes stomach acid and digestive enzymes along with water during digestion.

In fact, this water is necessary to promote the proper activity of these enzymes.

SUMMARY:

Whether eaten during or before meals, fluids play a number of important roles in the digestive process.

Water can reduce appetite and calorie intake.

Drinking water with meals can also help break down bites, giving you a moment to control your appetite and signs of fullness. It can avoid overeating and also help you lose weight.

Additionally, a 12-week study found that participants who drank 17 ounces (500 ml) of water before eating lost 4.4 pounds (2 kg) more than those who did not.

Research also indicates that drinking water can boost your metabolism by approximately 24 calories for every 17 ounces (500 ml) you consume.

Interestingly, the number of calories burned decreases when the water is heated to body temperature. This may be because it uses more energy to heat cold water to your body temperature.

However, the effects of water on metabolism are minimal and do not apply to everyone.

Note that this applies to most water, not caloric drinks. In one review, people who drank sweet beverages, milk, or juice with meals had 8% to 15% more total calories.

SUMMARY:

Drinking water with meals can help control appetite, avoid overeating, and promote weight loss. This does not apply to high-calorie drinks.

Risk population

For most people, drinking fluids with food is less likely to have a negative effect on digestion.

That said, if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), fluids with food can negatively affect you.

This is because liquids add bulk to the stomach, which can increase stomach pressure like a large meal. This can lead to acid reflux for GERD sufferers.

SUMMARY:

If you have GERD, limiting your fluid intake with food can reduce your reflux symptoms.

BOTTOM LINE

When it comes to drinking fluids with food, your decision feels better.

If it is painful to drink fluids with food, you feel bloated, or your gastric reflux is severe, limit yourself to drinking fluids before or during meals.

Otherwise, there is no evidence that you should avoid drinking with food.

In contrast, beverages consumed just before or during meals can improve digestion, increase optimal hydration, and make you feel full.

Just remember that water is a healthy option.

Article source healthline.com