Does water affect digestion?

Let's start by debunking the myth that you can't wash down food with water, because it has a bad effect on digestion, because water dilutes gastric juice. We hope that readers are aware that this claim has no evidentiary basis, and that stomach pH (a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of gastric juice, which determines its ability to digest food and destroy harmful bacteria) increases 3 times during a meal, regardless of the additional drink water Hydrochloric acid, which helps digestion in the stomach, is always released in sufficient quantity.

For the digestive system, as well as for the whole body, water is vital. If there is not enough fluid, the stomach begins to take it from other body fluids (saliva, blood, etc.).

Water participates in mechanical and biochemical processes during digestion, namely:

• facilitates the transportation of food through the digestive tract;
• dilutes food, which promotes better digestion and assimilation of nutrients;
• helps the soluble dietary fibers contained in the fiber to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood;
• promotes the conversion of carbohydrates into glucose, helps in the breakdown of lipids and proteins;
• accelerates the absorption of useful substances through the walls of the intestine and their entry into the blood;
• accelerates the elimination of end products of metabolism from the body;
• ensures adequate blood flow, thereby participating in the nutrition of all cells;
• helps the functioning of enzymes;
• prevents bloating;
• softens the chair.

Sometimes thirst can be confused with hunger, so it is recommended to drink water regularly throughout the day. Drink water and be healthy!