Is it bad to drink water with a meal?

**SPEAKER_1** (0:00)
Introducing Meta Glasses. You have questions, they've got answers.

**Bababam** (0:05)
Hey Meta, what's the capital of Peru? Lima.

**SPEAKER_1** (0:09)
How do you say, where's the restroom in Spanish?

**Bababam** (0:12)
Dónde está el baño?

**SPEAKER_1** (0:14)
Hey Meta, is a hot dog a sandwich? Technically no, spiritually, yes. Hey Meta, what should I do with my life? That's one of life's biggest questions. What do you think? Ask anything with the new Meta Glasses.
When it comes to what your family eats and drinks, you know your choices matter. You are the expert because you know what fits your life. And getting it right starts with good information. That's why America's beverage companies are sharing more information about our ingredients at goodtoknowfacts.org. No spin, no judgments, just the facts straight from the experts for more than 140 beverage ingredients.
Visit goodtoknowfacts.org.

**Bababam** (1:05)
Is it bad to drink water with a meal?
Thanks for asking.
It's often said that drinking water while eating can make the stomach swell, but in reality there are no studies to back that up. Similarly, drinking or avoiding drinking while eating also has no impact on the effectiveness of digestive juices or on any supposed difficulty in secreting them, and therefore on digestion. In fact, the stomach adjusts its acid production to the volume and nature of the stomach contents. What do we know for sure about drinking water with meals then? We know that water helps soften food boluses being digested by the body. A bolus is a ball-like mixture of food and saliva that forms in the mouth when we chew. Water also has the advantage of curbing hunger, thereby regulating our appetite. Not only that, but the process of putting down your cutlery, picking up a glass of water, drinking from it and swallowing means you automatically take longer in between bites and eat more slowly. Eating too quickly can lead to stomach pain and fatigue because it forces the body to work faster. It also delays the feeling of fullness, which ultimately means that you end up eating more. When is the best time of day to drink water? Generally speaking, you shouldn't deprive yourself of water at any time if you're thirsty. For example, drinking water during a meal helps with the liquefaction of dry foods, which is quite useful and can prevent hiccups. However, there is one small exception. Studies have shown that drinking while eating sweet foods tends to increase blood sugar levels, which in turn leads to insulin spikes promoting fat storage. So when eating dessert or a meal that's rich in starches or carbs, for example, it's best to wait for about half an hour before drinking water if you can. What about sparkling water? That really depends from person to person, but drinking sparkling water can cause bloating in the same way that other fizzy drinks do.
However, sparkling water can also aid digestion when it's rich in bicarbonate and minerals. According to healthline.com, Drinking sparkling water may even enhance digestion by improving swallowing ability and reducing constipation. That's an important point to note before we conclude. If you are prone to constipation, staying hydrated during and between meals is essential to facilitate healthy bowel movements. There you have it.
Now you know whether it's bad to drink water with a meal. In under three minutes, we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. Listen along and you will really know for sure.
Bababam.