You’ve just savored a delicious meal, and now you’re reaching for that tall, frosty glass of water. Could that be setting you up for digestive distress? “We are often called to treat people with severe cramps suddenly developed during or right after a meal. In many of these cases, we find that the sufferer drank large quantities of too-cold water.
” Buckle’s century-old observation raises questions that still perplex us today. When is the best time to drink water in relation to our meals? And does the temperature of the water matter? “Recommendations about total daily fluid intake are less common and accurate than food recommendations.” Abstaining from drinking for a couple of hours after eating can help keep the lower esophageal sphincter sealed, according to Dr.
Manisha Ghei, an internist and functional/integrative physician at Praana Integrative & Functional Medicine in Texas. This sphincter consists of ring-shaped muscles at the lower end of the esophagus that close to prevent food from flowing back up. When this valve does not function properly, it can lead to gastroesophageal reflux, which can cause symptoms such as burning, nausea, and regurgitation.
That’s not to say you should perpetually avoid drinking water. However, Ghei told The Epoch Times, the timing of your hydration may play a role in your digestive discomfort. “Our body needs water to go through any biochemical processes, including making our enzymes and our stomach acids,” she said.
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