
Among the most widespread food myths in society is the belief that water is fattening. And, even more, that water during meals is harmful to health, or that there are exact times a day to drink a specific amount of water. What is the truth in that?
We know that it can be difficult to understand since not everyone agrees with drinking water: before, during or after meals? You will wonder on more than one occasion. Well, your doubts will be cleared because we will answer each and every one of your questions. Look, look!
The ideal time of day to drink water
The day has 24 hours and in all of them you can drink water, that is so, since it helps keep the body properly hydrated. In addition, not everyone needs to drink 2 liters of water a day since this amount varies depending on sex, height or weight. What is clear is that you have to drink at least one liter a day to maintain unbeatable health.
However, many people consider that there are certain occasions in which we should not drink liquid because it can be harmful to the body, especially at meals, before or after making them. Let’s take a closer look.
+Water before eating
There are those who say and affirm categorically that drinking water before meals can help you lose weight. And the truth is that they are not wrong, since fluid intake helps control those calories that we eat later. The reason? Water has the capacity to satisfy, so once we sit down to eat we will be less hungry than we were.
Although it sounds great to lose weight just by drinking water, you must be very careful with this. Drinking a large amount of water just before meals (more than three glasses) can turn against you as it could modify the pH of the stomach greatly impairing digestion.
The key is to drink small amounts of water before meals, only if you feel like it. If you’re thirsty right before eating, why won’t you be able to drink a glass of water? You can also take advantage of the benefits of hydration in your body. But if you want to lose weight, you’d better try a healthy, balanced diet and stop drinking excess water.
+Water while you eat
Surely more than once you have heard someone claiming that drinking water during meals will help you lose weight. How is this possible? As we told you before, water during meals can make you satiate earlier and, therefore, less hungry.
On the other hand, there is another current that ensures that water during meals makes you fat. But they are wrong! Water has 0 calories, and does not contribute anything to the energy balance. Therefore, water does not make you fat before, after or during meals.
It is not advisable, however, to drink excessively during meals. And much less is drinking while you have a food inside your mouth since not only could you drown, it is also harmful to digestion. Saliva is generating Pthialine, an enzyme that aids the digestion of all foods. When you drink excess water, this enzyme may not be mixing properly with everything you’ve ingested, and digestion will be much more complicated.
But we emphasize again: it is only harmful when you drink water excessively. It is not that you eat without drinking, far from it. It is about eating and drinking as you usually do, between bites, chewing well and not ingesting too much water in this process.
+Water after eating
A widespread myth among the population is that water after eating is not advisable at all. And they are not wrong, but we must point out that in these cases it is an intake of water in too exorbitant quantities, and what you have to do is drink without going over.
There are many specialists in the field who recommend drinking water from a few hours after the meal. The reason is that digestive juices must be kept undiluted so that food is diluted in the best possible way and digestion is the most correct.
In short, the recommendation is to wait at least half an hour after you finish eating to drink water. But, as always happens, if you are very thirsty nothing will happen to drink a small glass. The important thing is to be clear that large amounts of water just before, after or during the meal are not good. It should be drunk in a relaxed manner and in small amounts throughout the day to keep the body properly hydrated.
Cold, warm or hot water?
Once the issue of correct water intake has been clarified, it is time to resolve many other doubts that may arise around water. One of the most heard in recent times is the correct temperature at which the water has to be, especially when we finish eating.
As a general rule, everyone prefers to drink cold water than hot water. Cold water helps us especially in summer, when high temperatures tighten and we want the heat of our body to disappear, right? In these cases, you should know that water that is too cold is somewhat harmful to health.
The ideal is to drink water pulling warm or time (or if you dare with hot, go ahead) once you have finished your meal. But why would it be harmful to the body to drink water that is too cold? The reason lies, of course, in the process of digestion.
When the body performs digestion after eating all meals, it gathers all the possible heat from the organs involved in it. It is for this reason that many people have some cold after eating and notice that the body temperature drops considerably.
If you drink water that is too cold right after eating, you could interfere with digestion and lower the temperature of your organs. In this way, the development of the process would be interrupted and could take a little longer than usual. Ideally, wait a little to drink the cold water until the food has been processed correctly.
If you still have any doubts about the myths that exist around water, do not worry! Marina Díaz-Naranjo and Axel Ceinos Moraza, dietitians and nutritionists, told us everything you should know in our I Encuentro #EntreNosotras. Don’t miss it!