Should You Drink During Meals? Myths, Facts, and Expert Advice

You’ve probably heard the advice before: “Don’t drink water with your meal — it weakens digestion.” Some claim that sipping water or any beverage during lunch or with a sandwich makes it harder for your stomach to do its job.

Nutritionist Dr. Maya Rosman addresses this common concern, shedding light on what really happens to your body when you drink during meals.

Can You Drink Water During Meals?

“Is it true you shouldn’t drink water while eating? It depends,” says Dr. Roseman. For healthy individuals, the answer is simple: “You can drink as much water as you want, before, during, or after the meal. The stomach has more than enough digestive acids and enzymes, and even if the food is ‘diluted’ by the water, the body still produces more than enough to handle digestion efficiently.”

She adds that many foods naturally contain water such as soups, for example. If your body handles soup well, a glass of water with your meal likely won’t hurt.

Who Should Be Careful?

Individuals with digestive issues including those suffering from acid reflux, heartburn, chronic diarrhea, or inflammatory bowel conditions may want to separate food and drink during meals.

Liquid-heavy meals can more easily travel upward, worsening reflux symptoms, and may also aggravate diarrhea in sensitive digestive systems.

What About Tea After Meals?

Many people enjoy drinking tea immediately after eating, assuming that it aids digestion. Surprisingly, science disagrees.

Studies have shown that tea leaves contain certain acids that may interfere with protein digestion in the body. These acids bind to proteins and make it harder for them to break down, which could affect nutrient absorption.

Dr. Rosman suggests that if you want to drink tea after a meal, it's best to wait at least an hour.