Drinking water at the table is a perfectly normal practice, and contrary to some popular belief, it does not disrupt digestion in a healthy person. On the other hand, if you consistently feel intense thirst when eating, this may be a symptom of insufficient hydration throughout the day.
This is the message conveyed by Catalan nutritionist Júlia Farré, who dedicated a video to this subject on TikTok. “If you drink more than one glass of water during a meal, it could be a sign that you are not hydrating well.she explains, comments relayed by the Spanish media NacióDigital, which can concern each of us.
It’s not the water during the meal that’s the problem…
Contrary to popular belief, drinking water during meals is not bad for digestion.
Specialists point out that our digestive system produces more than 5 liters of digestive juices every day, which allows it to continue to function normally despite the presence of a glass of water in the stomach. Several doctors point out that water is your digestive system’s best friend.
A healthy person will have no problem drinking water in moderation during a meal. As such, no solid scientific study has shown that this habit harms digestion.
…but significant thirst at the table can reveal a lack of hydration
For Júlia Farré, the real problem appears when all the hydration of the day is concentrated on the meal.
If you drink very little in the morning or afternoon, it makes sense to arrive at the table feeling very thirsty. You then drink glasses of water, which quickly fills the stomach along with the food. In some people, this large volume can promote a feeling of heaviness, bloating or digestive discomfort.
Dietician Julie Boët, interviewed by True Medical, also recalled that water represents around 60% of body weight and that an adult should, on average, drink between 1.5 and 2 liters of water per day, taking into account their physical activity, the outside temperature and their state of health.
She says when a person is properly hydrated throughout the day, a single 150-200 ml glass of water is usually enough to accompany a meal.
“The need to drink large amounts of water during a meal may indicate a lack of hydration.”she confides.
How do you know if you’re not drinking enough?
The best way to avoid this intense thirst at mealtime is to distribute your water intake throughout the day.
Experts recommend starting with a large glass when you wake up, then drinking regularly between meals rather than waiting until you’re thirsty. The latter is already considered an early sign of dehydration.
Other symptoms can also alert:
- Dark urine;
- Headaches;
- Unusual fatigue;
- Constipation;
- A dry mouth.
Finally, people suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease can sometimes tolerate meals better by avoiding drinking very large quantities of water at once. In the event of persistent symptoms or excessive thirst, medical advice is still recommended to rule out an underlying illness, such as diabetes or a kidney disorder.