Should You Avoid Drinking Water at Mealtimes?                                                  Separating Myth from Science on Hydration and Digestion. 

 Recently, a woman on ABC Radio was insisting that we should  not drink water for half   an hour  before or after meals. She said water dilutes the gastric juices. I thought the         idea  sounded plausible  but wondered if it was supported by scientific research. She   sounded very knowledgeable  and very adamant. Her main argument was: Water, when     consumed close to   mealtime, dilutes the stomach’s gastric juices—primarily   hydrochloric acid and enzymes. This, in theory, could make it harder for the stomach to   break down food, leading to poorer digestion or discomfort.                                                   What Does the Science Say?                                                               Scientific research does not support the notion that drinking water     before, during,     or after meals, is harmful or disrupts digestion. In fact, the Science     says water   plays a helpful role in the   digestive process. The stomach is far more   sophisticated   than   the radio lady’s claim. It   automatically adjusts the stomach’s   acidity,  even if you           drink   water with meals. The stomach’s   cells constantly monitor   acidity and maintain the   ideal ph levels at around 1.5 to 2.5 to promote   good   digestion.   How clever!                    

 Does drinking water slow digestion? No, it does not! Liquids empty from the stomach   much faster    than solids and research does not show that adding water slows the   digestive process. The   research   shows that drinking water 30 minutes before a meal   helps regulate appetite  and   supports digestion. Water during a meal helps moisten the   food and aids digestion.                                                                                                  

 The Bottom Line.                                                                                 Be very wary of unverified expert opinions!                                                         Drinking water before and after meals is safe and normal, does not dilute the gastric juices and is actually beneficial to digestion. So, drink up. Drinking water is good at any time. And the really good news is that my research revealed that 85% to 95% of wine and beer is … WATER! A glass of  Gin and Tonic is 90% WATER . 

 As they say… Bottoms Up… and Good Health!