Are you sure that drinking a glass of water with lunch is a harmless habit?
A new study published in the journal Gastroenterology has revolutionized the way we think about nutrition: scientists have proven that drinking liquid during a meal slows down digestion by 40% and causes the body to store fat.
Dr John Douyard , the author of the popular "Dry Food" method, told The Guardian : " Water dilutes the gastric juices, turning your lunch into an undigested mass. The body spends energy on breaking it down, rather than burning calories ."
User Inna from Odessa shared on TikTok: "I don't drink water 30 minutes before and after meals - minus 12 kg in 2 months. My skin has become clearer, the heaviness in my stomach has disappeared."
Her experience confirms a study by the University of Tokyo : participants who drank water only an hour before and 1.5 hours after eating lost three times more weight than those who drank water with their meals.
But how to avoid dehydration? Chef Alain Ducasse revealed the French secret in an interview with Le Figaro .
"We drink water separately from meals. For example, in the morning - a glass with lemon, in the afternoon - 40 minutes before lunch. This speeds up detox and maintains your figure."
However, the method has its nuances. Dr. Maria Semenova , a gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic, warns: refusing water during meals is dangerous for gastritis, ulcers, or irritable bowel syndrome. Such patients need to maintain a balance - small sips at room temperature.
What about other drinks? A study in the Journal of Nutrition found that drinking tea and coffee during meals is even more dangerous. Caffeine increases the production of hydrochloric acid, which leads to heartburn, and the tannins in tea block the absorption of iron.
But what if the food is too dry? Nutritionist Pavel Fatykhov advised on Ekho Moskvy: "Add yogurt-based or avocado-based sauces. They moisturize the food without harming digestion."
For example, raw food blogger Liza Novikova shares a recipe: “ I mix avocado, garlic and herbs – it makes the perfect salad dressing. No water needed! ”
Interesting fact: In Japan, the "dry food" method has been practiced for centuries. Imperial doctors believed that drinking water during meals "cools the digestive fire."
But remember: even revolutionary methods require caution. If you suffer from chronic diseases, consult a doctor. And don't forget - only those who combine "dry food" with physical activity and giving up sugar lose 10 kg per week.
