Should You Drink Water With Your Meals?
Is there a digestive effect of pairing water with your meals?
Monica Reinagel, MS, LD/N, CNS
Ask the Diva: Does Drinking Water With Meals Impair Digestion?
I’ve heard that drinking water with meals dilutes digestive juices and impairs digestion. Should we avoid drinking with meals?
This is an oldie-but-goodie. Assuming you don’t have a digestive disorder, drinking water with meals does not interfere with digestion of foods. Consider that some fruits and vegetables are up to 96% water. If water impaired digestion, how would we ever digest them? Drinking water (or eating foods high in water) will probably make you feel full sooner, however. Many weight watchers use this to their advantage.
For more on drinking water, see my episode on how much you should drink.
About the Author
Monica Reinagel is a board-certified licensed nutritionist, author, and the creator of one of iTunes’ most highly ranked health and fitness podcasts. Her advice is regularly featured on the TODAY show, Dr. Oz, NPR, and in the nation’s leading newspapers, magazines, and websites. Do you have a nutrition question? Call the Nutrition Diva listener line at 443-961-6206. Your question could be featured on the show.