We receive many tips about the importance of drinking water, and we see many people carrying water bottles with them everywhere. But, are there any harms to drinking water? In this article, we will review the importance and benefits of drinking water, the appropriate amount that an individual needs daily, in addition to the times that require increased water consumption. Finally, we will learn through the Dalili Medical website about the digestion process and how it occurs, to understand whether drinking water immediately after eating may be harmful or not.

**Benefits of drinking water**

 

**Losing excess weight**Research has shown that individuals who are keen to drink 2 to 3 additional cups of water daily have lower levels of fat, sugar and salt in the blood, in addition to achieving higher rates of burning calories, which ultimately contributes to losing excess weight. Drinking water also enhances the feeling of fullness, which reduces the desire to drink soft drinks or juices rich in calories and sugars. In addition, water helps improve the digestion process, as it occupies space in the stomach, which leads to automatically reducing the amount of meals.

**Improving heart function**Drinking enough water may not directly improve heart function, but not drinking the right amount can cause mild dehydration that negatively affects blood vessels, weakening them in the same way that smoking does. In addition, drinking less water leads to a decrease in the volume of blood in the body, which results in a decrease in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate. It only takes 15 to 20 minutes to restore normal balance after drinking enough water.

**Concentration power**Some people suffer from poor concentration or difficulty remembering information, in addition to the inability to think clearly and calmly when the water level in the body is low. These problems can be overcome by drinking enough water, as it is recommended to drink at least 4 cups per day for a person weighing 70 kg, and the amount increases with weight gain.

**High physical fitness**Lack of fluids in the body, or even mild dehydration, leads to feeling tired and exhausted. Therefore, it makes sense to replace fluids lost during exercise with water and minerals such as sodium and potassium. This helps to hydrate the body and increase energy, which enhances muscle building and improves heart performance and pumping oxygenated blood to the brain, thus contributing to improving mental fitness.

**Avoid Fainting**Some people may faint while donating blood due to lack of fluids in the body. Therefore, it is necessary to drink sufficient amounts of water to avoid low blood pressure and fainting, especially in hot weather or when exercising or in cases of heavy sweating and frequent urination.

**Improving Joint Performance**Water is an essential component in the formation of joint cartilage, as it helps absorb shocks and makes bone movement smoother. Regular water intake also helps reduce the severity of gout symptoms.

**Avoid Dehydration**The body loses large amounts of water when sweating, especially in high temperatures. If you do not drink enough water, the body may also lose the necessary sodium and potassium. This leads to dry mouth and a feeling of dizziness or confusion due to lack of fluids in the body.

**Detoxification**Water helps the kidneys filter waste from the blood. When the kidneys don't get enough water, these wastes can combine with acids, clogging the kidneys with proteins known as myoglobin. Dehydration can also contribute to the formation of kidney stones and increase the risk of urinary tract infections.

**When should you drink water after eating?**

 

- An hour after breakfast, you can drink a glass of water and get to work right away.

- It is preferable to drink water immediately upon waking up to hydrate the body after a long night of dehydration, and about half an hour after drinking water, you can eat breakfast.

- It is recommended to drink a glass of water half an hour before lunch, and about an hour after lunch, you can drink another glass of water to enhance the body's absorption of nutrients.

- During your tea break, be sure to drink a glass of water to stimulate the mind and restore activity.

- It is preferable to drink a glass of water half an hour before dinner to reduce overeating, and an hour after dinner, you can drink another glass of water.

- Drink the last glass of water an hour before bed, as this helps renew the body's cells during sleep.

How much water should you drink daily?

 

The right amount of water to drink varies from person to person. Adults typically need about 1.5 to 2 liters per day, while teenagers need about 1.6 liters per day. Children need between 0.8 to 1.4 liters per day. Sufficient water can be obtained from a variety of sources, including meals that contain high levels of water, fruits and vegetables, as well as beverages and juices.

Does the body need additional amounts of water?

 

There are some cases that may require the body to increase the amount of water consumed, i.e. more than the usual level, including:

- Following a diet to lose weight.

- When suffering from a fever.

- In very hot weather.

- When experiencing diarrhea or vomiting.

- While exercising or in cases of heavy sweating.

**Best times to drink water**

 

To maintain a healthy body, it is essential to keep the body hydrated by drinking water regularly. Here are some of the best times to drink water:

. **Immediately after waking up**It is important to drink a glass of water immediately after waking up, as this helps to activate the body's organs after a period of sleep. The body needs water to replace the fluids lost duringNight time.

. **Before meals**It is preferable to drink a glass of water about half an hour before meals. This helps improve digestion and may help reduce the amount of food eaten, which helps achieve weight loss goals.

. **During meals**Drinking water during meals helps enhance digestion, especially when eating foods rich in fiber.

. **When taking a break in the afternoon**

People often need a break in the afternoon, which may be due to dehydration. So it is preferable to drink water instead of resorting to drinks containing caffeine or sugars.

. **When feeling a headache**When you feel a headache, the reason may be a lack of fluids in the body. Drinking water can help relieve this feeling.

**. During exercise**It is recommended to drink a glass of water 30 minutes before starting exercise, in addition to drinking water during exercise.

It is also important to make sure to drink water after finishing exercise to replace fluids lost due to sweating.

**. Before Bed**Avoid drinking large amounts of water before bed so that you do not worry about needing to go to the bathroom. You can put a glass of water next to your bed if you feel thirsty in the middle of the night, especially if you are taking medications, as dry mouth is a common side effect of medications.

**. Before Bathing**Before bathing, try to drink a glass of water, as this helps lower blood pressure, which is very important.

**. Before, during and after exercise**

Don't forget the importance of drinking a glass of water before starting exercise, during it, and after finishing it.

This helps keep your body hydrated and protects you from the risk of dehydration.

**. When you feel a headache**The next time you feel a headache, try drinking a glass of water, as this may help relieve the pain. Sometimes, headaches are caused by dehydration and lack of fluids.

**Benefits of drinking water after meals**As mentioned earlier, drinking water after eating is a healthy option that does not negatively affect the digestive process, even when consumed in large quantities. Here are the most important benefits of drinking water after eating:

- It helps soften food in the stomach and enhances the absorption of nutrients.

- It contributes to softening the stool and prevents constipation.

- It prevents bloating.

- It maintains the health and moisture of the digestive system.

- It ensures hydration of the body and prevents dehydration.

**How ​​does drinking water immediately after meals affect the digestion process?**

 

Water directly affects the condition of food in your stomach, as it acts as a cooling agent. Drinking water regularly after meals may lead to weight gain and obesity. When you drink water after eating, you change the natural time required to digest food, which may make you feel hungry faster than expected, leading to overeating and bloating problems. In addition, you may suffer from acidity and heartburn, as excess water in the body can reduce the effectiveness of digestive enzymes. Another side effect of drinking water immediately after eating is that diluting gastric juice and digestive enzymes with excess water may lead to a reduction in their secretion.

High insulin levels can lead to multiple health problems.

Drinking beverages immediately after a meal may leave undigested food, which is converted into fat and stored in the body. This process may contribute to increased insulin levels, which raises blood sugar levels and increases the risk of diabetes.

1- **Diluting digestive juices**:Drinking water during or immediately after a meal may weaken the effectiveness of digestive juices such as acids and enzymes, leading to less efficient digestion of food.

2- **Disturbing the digestive process**:Drinking large amounts of cold water immediately after eating may disrupt the digestive process, as it requires directing energy and blood to heat the cold water before the digestion process begins normally.

3- **Stomach strain**:Drinking water after a meal may lead to a feeling of stomach discomfort. Drinking large amounts of water after finishing a meal may lead to excessive stomach activity, which may cause fatigue and irritation, and lead to pain or bloating.

**- Slowing down the digestion process**

 

Sometimes, drinking large amounts of water immediately after eating can slow down the digestion process. This is because water dilutes the concentration of digestive juices in the stomach and intestines.

- **Uric acid**: High levels of uric acid can cause knee and shoulder pain, as well as pain in the wrist joints. It can also lead to swelling in the ankles, elbows and wrists.

- **Low-density lipoproteins (LDL)**: Also known as bad cholesterol. As mentioned earlier, undigested food in our bodies is converted into fat, which leads to increased levels of bad cholesterol in the body. In addition, when the level of bad cholesterol rises, the flow of blood through the veins and heart becomes more difficult. This leads to increased blood pressure in the body, and if this continues on a regular basis, it can cause a heart attack.

- **VLDL (Very Low Density Lipoproteins)**: VLDL is considered more harmful than LDL. VLDL levels in the body rise as a result of improper digestion processes, and if they continue to rise or increase significantly, they may pose a threat to life.

- **Triglycerides**: They result from undigested food as a result of consuming water immediately after meals, which leads to an increase in triglyceride levels. Triglycerides are the main components of natural oils and fats.