Why does pizza make you so thirsty?

La Team Building, especially in the evening, we almost always pay for it not only with money but also with the discomfort of being very thirsty all night. This means drinking lots of water, with the frequent and repeated need to go to the bathroom, waking us up repeatedly.

But what makes eating pizza mean drinking so much water? And can this discomfort be avoided?

The factors that lead to constant thirst are linked to the leavening/maturation of the dough and the use of ingredients from the square.

• Index of topics

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  Lots of salt 

Pizza, in any version, contains a lot of sodium. When you consume a lot of it saltThe body attempts to restore fluid balance through a mechanism called osmolarity. Essentially, the brain signals that you need to drink to dilute the sodium in your blood.

• Dough and carbohydrates

Pasta is rich in refined carbohydrates. During digestion, these are converted into glucose and absorb water into the tissues, contributing to a mild "dehydration" that the body perceives as a "craving for water."

• The maturation times

The quality and digestibility of a pizza depend on the maturation process and the leavening time. If the latter is too short (perhaps because the pizza chef has a lot of pizzas to make), the maturation process won't be complete and will continue while the pizza is being digested. At that point, the body craves more water and triggers pizza-related thirst. 

• “Drying” ingredients

Aged cheeses, cooked tomatoes, mozzarella cheese And some condiments can leave your mouth dry. This amplifies the feeling of needing to drink, even if you're not actually dehydrated.

• Poor quality oil

Even the oil of poor quality It can increase thirst after eating pizza. 

• Spices

The use of spices,, from basil to oregano, it stimulates thirst.

• cooking

A well-cooked pizza, even one with a burnt crust, requires more effort to digest, which increases thirst and the water the body needs to complete absorption.

But how can you avoid the discomfort of excessive thirst that comes, especially in the evening, after eating pizza?

Here are some suggestions that may work:

• Drink before and during
  Arriving already somewhat hydrated helps a lot. Drink water before you start and continue taking small sips while you eat, instead of waiting until the end.
• Choose less salty ingredients
  Avoid pizzas loaded with cured meats (such as salami, ham, sausage) or aged cheeses. A simple Margherita or vegetarian pizza is usually less thirsty.
• Beware of “hidden” salt additions
  Olives, capers, anchovies, and some condiments significantly increase sodium levels: they are among the main culprits.
• Prefer lighter doughs
  Well-leavened or wholemeal doughs tend to be less “thirsty” than very refined and compact ones, because they impact digestion differently.
• Avoid oil
• Ask for your pizza cooked without oil: you certainly won't miss it, especially since, thanks to the tomato, mozzarella, and any other toppings you choose, the pizza will never be dry. 
• Avoid sugary or alcoholic drinks
  Soft drinks and beer can worsen the feeling of thirst afterward, because they further alter fluid balance. The typical "pizza and beer" combination is definitely a precursor to thirst. You should know this. 
• Don't overdo the quantity
  The more pizza you eat, the more sodium and carbohydrates you introduce into your body: hence, the proportionally increased need for water required by the body.

Read also: 

• Homemade Pizza: The Best Recipes
• Frozen Pizzas: Why You Shouldn't Buy Them