Drinking water after eating fruit is NOT a healthy habit! Here’s why

There are so many unanswered questions around water consumption in our lives. What is a good time to drink water? How many litres of water would be sufficient, and is it wrong to drink water between meals? Many more questions are being asked frequently around this subject. Did you know drinking water immediately after eating fruits is also not recommended? Yes, it’s true.

Water keeps our organs hydrated and helps in balancing our body heat. Moreover, water is the only source that helps to flush out the body waste. On the other hand, increasing the intake of fruits is necessary to prevent dehydration, skin sensitivities, vitamin deficiencies, etc. But having them together or drinking water after eating fruits is not a healthy habit. Wondering why? Let’s find out.

drinking water after eating fruits
Water is key when it comes to a healthy body. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Is it safe to drink water after having fruits?

You must be aware that drinking water immediately after a meal is not recommended. That’s because it can slow down digestion and cause other health issues. In the case of fruits, drinking water after fruits is not considered safe because they are juicy and already a high source of water content. Therefore, they shouldn’t be consumed with water, because doing so can lead to health issues.

Here’s why we should not drink water after eating fruits

Shweta Mahadik, clinical nutritionist, Fortis Hospital Kalyan, Mumbai, lists five reasons to say NO to water immediately after eating fruits:

1. It can causes stomach cramps

Fruits contain a lot of sugar and yeast, and drinking water right after eating them dilutes your stomach acids. This creates an environment in which yeast can thrive, resulting in the production of carbon dioxide and alcohol, which causes gas to build up in the stomach.

2. It can affect the body’s pH level

Consuming water after eating fruits, particularly those with a high water content such as watermelon, muskmelon, cucumber, orange, and strawberry upsets the digestive system’s pH level (the levels of acidity or alkalinity). This is due to the fact that fruits with a high water content can upset the pH levels by making your stomach less acidic.

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3. It can slow down digestion

Water should be avoided after eating fruits because this combination can interfere with the absorption and digestion process in the stomach, resulting in acidity. This is why some people feel queasy after eating fruit. It is suggested that you drink water for at least an hour after eating fruits.

drinking water after eating fruits
If you have digestion issues, it may be a sign that you are drinking water after eating fruits! Image courtesy: Shutterstock

4. It helps in dilution of the gastric juices

You should drink water one hour after eating fruits. This is due to the fact that drinking water immediately after eating dilutes the gastric juice and digestive enzymes required for digestion. Dilution of gastric juice reduces the secretion of digestive enzymes, which can cause heartburn and acidity.

Also, read: You’ve been drinking water wrong all this while if you’re making these mistakes

5. It increase in the blood sugar levels

Drinking water after eating fruit slows digestion, leaving a lot of undigested food in the system. This is converted to fat and causes an increase in insulin, which can raise blood sugar levels, and lead to diabetes and obesity.

So, avoid drinking water especially after consuming citrus fruits and fruits with high water content. Give yourself at least half an hour to an hour to digest these fruits, before you reach out for that glass of water.