Habits to avoid after meals because they harm digestion

Drinking enough water is important for overall health. Drinking a lot of water right after a meal may seem harmless, but it can have a negative impact on digestion.

During meals, you should only drink water in small sips, avoid drinking too much because it will affect digestion.

PHOTO: AI

Drinking too much water after meals can cause the following effects:

Dilute digestive enzymes

The stomach needs an acidic environment and concentrated enzymes to digest food effectively. Drinking too much water immediately after eating or while eating can dilute gastric juices and enzymes, according to the health website Medical News Today (UK).

The result is slow digestion, which prevents food from breaking down completely, allowing fermentation to occur, causing gas, bloating and stomach discomfort.

Reduced nutrient absorption

Too much water reduces the acid concentration in the stomach, leading to not maintaining optimal conditions for the absorption of certain minerals such as iron, vitamin B12 and other essential nutrients.

The stomach needs an acidic environment to break down the bonds between nutrients and food. Therefore, if the acidity is diluted, the absorption capacity will be affected. This is why, although water is necessary, you should avoid drinking too much immediately after a meal.

Bloating, discomfort

Drinking too much water during or immediately after a meal causes the stomach to expand too much, creating a feeling of fullness, sluggishness and discomfort, especially in people with sensitive constitutions or slow digestion. Therefore, to limit this condition, you should avoid drinking too much water during meals, including soups. Drinking a little or in moderation is still fine.

Hyponatremia

In extreme cases, drinking too much water in a short period of time can lead to hyponatremia, which is a dilution of the sodium concentration in the blood. Symptoms of this condition include headaches, nausea, and confusion. In severe cases, hyponatremia can lead to seizures or coma. However, this condition is rare, especially during meals.

One of the best times to drink water is 30-60 minutes before eating. The amount of water you drink should be moderate. While eating, you should drink small sips and limit large amounts to avoid putting pressure on the stomach. After eating, you should wait a while for the digestive system to work before drinking a lot of water. This way helps maintain the habit of drinking water without harming digestion, according to Medical News Today .

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thoi-quen-can-tranh-sau-bua-an-vi-gay-hai-tieu-hoa-185250911125803048.htm