There are so many unanswered questions around water consumption in our lives. What is a good time to drink water? How many litres of water would be sufficient, and is it wrong to drink water between meals? Many more questions are being asked frequently around this subject. But did you know drinking water immediately after eating fruits is also not recommended? Yes, it’s true.
Water helps you stay well-hydrated, but there are certain reasons why you MUST avoid drinking water after eating fruit. Read on to find out.
Is it safe to drink water after having fruits?
You must be aware that drinking water immediately after a meal is not recommended. That’s because it can slow down digestion and cause other health issues. In the case of fruits, drinking water after fruits is not considered safe because they are juicy and already a high source of water content. Therefore, they shouldn’t be consumed with water, because doing so can lead to health issues.
Here’s why we should not drink water after eating fruits
- It can causes stomach cramps
Fruits contain a lot of sugar and yeast, and drinking water right after eating them dilutes your stomach acids. This creates an environment in which yeast can thrive, resulting in the production of carbon dioxide and alcohol, which causes gas to build up in the stomach.
- It can affect the body’s pH level
Consuming water after eating fruits, particularly those with a high water content such as watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, orange, and strawberry upsets the digestive system’s pH level (the levels of acidity or alkalinity). This is due to the fact that fruits with a high water content can upset the pH levels by making your stomach less acidic.
- It can slow down digestion
Water should be avoided after eating fruits because this combination can interfere with the absorption and digestion process in the stomach, resulting in acidity. This is why some people feel queasy after eating fruit. It is suggested that you drink water for at least an hour after eating fruits.
- It helps in dilution of the gastric juices
You should drink water one hour after eating fruits. This is due to the fact that drinking water immediately after eating dilutes the gastric juice and digestive enzymes required for digestion. Dilution of gastric juice reduces the secretion of digestive enzymes, which can cause heartburn and acidity.
- It increase in the blood sugar levels
Drinking water after eating fruit slows digestion, leaving a lot of undigested food in the system. This is converted to fat and causes an increase in insulin, which can raise blood sugar levels, and lead to diabetes and obesity.
So, avoid drinking water especially after consuming citrus fruits and fruits with high water content. Give yourself at least half an hour to an hour to digest these fruits, before you reach out for that glass of water.
