It's not true that you should drink water outside of meals.

How many times have you heard that you should drink water between meals? That's not true, and in fact, this denial can be counterproductive for our body and proper digestion.

This widespread false belief arises from three elements that have no scientific value:

• The idea of ​​“diluted gastric juices”The idea has spread that water, entering the stomach with food, dilutes the acid and enzymes and thus hinders digestion. In reality, the stomach continually regulates its secretions, and simply drinking water during a meal doesn't hinder digestion.
• A confusion between “drinking too much” and “drinking during meals”: Large amounts of fluids can actually temporarily increase the feeling of fullness or bloating. This may have given rise to a practical recommendation like "better to drink between meals," which later became a general rule.
• Old dietary theoriesThroughout the twentieth century, numerous dietary prescriptions based on the separation of food and drink circulated, often without a solid physiological basis. Some remained in popular culture even after they were superseded.

Drinking during meals, without exaggerating, is perfectly physiological and can be useful in several ways:

• Helps swallow, especially dry or firm foods, facilitating the passage of the food bolus. In essence, water improves the consistency and dilution of food, thus aiding digestion. 
• Contributes to daily hydration: there is no reason to concentrate all the water away from meals.
• It can promote a feeling of satietyDrinking with a meal can increase the volume in your stomach and, in some people, help you feel full sooner.
• It helps make the meal more enjoyable, for example with particularly salty, spicy or dry foods.
• It can be helpful to eat more slowly, because taking a few sips between bites naturally creates breaks. 

Read also:

• How much water should we drink per day?
• Why water is so important in our lives
• What Happens When We Drink Too Much (VIDEO)