In many books and studies on the topic of a healthy lifestyle, you can often find information about not drinking water with food. Many do not even think about it, and begin to consume everything dry. But is it right? We decided to check whether this is true and what eminent scientists say about this.
What do the opponents of water say?
Where did the information come from that you should not drink with meals? For the first time, information about this appeared from an American nutritionist Herbert Shelton, one of the authors of the separate power supply system. In his opinion, if you drink water while eating, the liquid will dilute the gastric juice, as a result of which the food will not be completely digested, getting into the intestines.
As a result, fermentation processes begin in the body. His idea was immediately taken up by other nutritionists.
Modern doctors defend their theory with such arguments as:
- The stomach is distended by eating. As a result, a person consumes larger portions, which causes obesity and the development of heart disease.
- Water reduces the bactericidal properties of the stomach. Undiluted gastric juice kills various microorganisms, but if it is diluted with water, it will no longer be as effective. Drinking fluids regularly with water can lead to bacterial infections.
- Cold liquid stimulates bowel function. This argument is related to the experiment of Dr. V.D. Lindenbraten. His patients were given barium porridge and then had X-rays taken. Based on the results obtained, it was possible to find out that warm water left the stomach after about 5 hours, cold water within half an hour. As a result, it was concluded that cold water, getting into the body, reduces the temperature of food and that it is not digested and in this form enters the intestines.
Can I drink food: scientific facts
First, it must be said right away that Herbert Shelton, who was precisely the first opponent of drinking food, had no medical education. Therefore, trusting his words is not too worth it.
In addition, in 2004, scientists J. R. Maltby, Nick S. Watson conducted a study: after a planned operation, they gave patients a glass of plain water. And the result was as follows: the acidity of gastric juice did not change, which means that the water does not affect the digestion process in any way.
Also a general practitioner A. IN. Vodovozova states - you can drink during and after meals in peace. She explained that digestive enzymes only react with food components, but do not interact with water. On the contrary, she said, water softens food.
In addition, Australian scientists P. J. Collins, M. Horowitz conducted an experiment: the participants were given a glass of water to drink during the meal. And as a result, they found out that the water left the stomach in about 15 minutes, and solid food continued to be digested.
Thus, they were able to refute the thesis that food is not digested due to water and this leads to its fermentation in the intestines.
In addition, a 1979 study by American scientists confirms that the body itself regulates digestive enzymes. For example, he begins to produce more enzymes himself if he cannot digest all the food. Therefore, water has no effect on this process.
Impact of different drinks on digestion
As you can see, everything is simple with water - you can drink, but it is better if the water is warm, since it is better absorbed by the body, unlike ice.
But what about other drinks? Let's consider:
- Coffee and tea. According to the findings of M. Scarr and J. R. Maltby, which were held in 1989, these drinks have little or no effect on the change in acidity. However, there is one "but": tea contains tannins, which impair the absorption of iron and other important microelements from food.
- Milk, fermented milk products. Drinking milk with meals is undesirable, since it contains casein - and our body perceives this protein as food and begins to digest it first, which leads to an increase in the load on the digestive tract. But our body digests fermented milk products calmly.
- Juices, fruit drinks, compotes. Remember how sweet compotes were always served for lunch at school? The fact is that there are a lot of simple carbohydrates and sugar in such drinks, and their constant use can lead to extra pounds.
But, despite various studies, you should still listen to your body - if after drinking a glass of water you feel heaviness in your stomach, you should refuse water during lunch.
Sources:
Gastric emptying of a physiologic mixed solid-liquid meal
Slower-paced meal reduces hunger but affects calorie consumption differently
Disintegration of Solid Foods in Human Stomach
IARC Monographs evaluate drinking coffee, maté, and very hot beverages
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Doctors named the 7 most important foods for women over 45
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