In fact, drinking water during or after a meal helps how your body breaks down and processes food (digestion). Water is vital for good health. Water and other drinks help break down food so that your body can take in (absorb) the nutrients. Water also makes stool softer, which helps prevent constipation.
Not enough fiber.
You may become constipated if you don't eat enough high-fiber foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Eating a lot of high-fat meats, dairy products and eggs, sweets, or processed foods may cause constipation.
Along with fiber, water helps your body pass stool. Drink an extra 2 to 4 glasses of water a day if you're constipated. There's no magic number for how much fluid you should get in an average day. But a good guideline is 11.5 cups of fluid a day for women and 15.5 cups for men, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Water diminishes the digestive fire as it acts as a coolant that can interrupt the digestive process. It also dilutes the digestive juices. Once you are done with your meal, wait for at least 30 minutes before sipping on some water.
The average person will take about 10 minutes or less for their body to process one glass of water because they have normal levels of bodily functions such as digestion and absorption.
Chilled water as well as some cold beverages contract the blood vessels and also restrict digestion. The natural process of absorbing nutrients during digestion is hindered when you consume chilled water.
Stay Upright
Slouching or, even worse, lying down right after eating can encourage food to move back up and out of your stomach into your esophagus. Remaining upright and avoiding positions in which you're leaning back for two to three hours after a large meal will minimize the risk for heartburn, Dr. Saha advises.
It's often recommended that you should stop drinking water two hours before going to bed. This way, you're not flooding your body with extra fluids that may cause an unwanted trip to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
Eating When you Have Constipation. Try these things to relieve your constipation: Do not skip meals. Avoid processed or fast foods, such as white breads, pastries, doughnuts, sausage, fast-food burgers, potato chips, and French fries.
Booze zaps your body of fluids, which can make your stools hard -- and harder to pass. Do this: Drink plenty of water instead. Double down on dairy. Lots of milk and cheese can make your constipation worse.
Any form of cardio is helpful with relieving constipation. Try Zumba, jogging, water aerobics, running or even just light walking. Aim for 30 minutes of cardio daily, but if you can't fit it in at one time, try mini cardio sessions throughout the day.
Reading: Experts also advise against reading a book while eating. It is another form of distraction. While eating, it is important to concentrate on what's on the plate because eating in the right manner allows food to get digested properly. Wrong posture: Did you know that you shouldn't stand and eat your food?
Sleeping on your left side lets gravity help waste get from the small intestine to the large intestine. The ileocecal valve separates the small and large intestines and sits on the lower right side of the body.
Here's how this sleeping position helps with chronic constipation. "Although our bodies are largely symmetrical on the outside, the placement of our organs internally is largely asymmetrical. Therefore, left side sleeping aids movement of the faecal matter.
Some research suggests that people with conditions that affect the esophagus, or food pipe, such as achalasia, should avoid drinking cold water. Achalasia is a rare condition that can make swallowing food and drink difficult. A 2012 study found that drinking cold water worsened symptoms in people with achalasia.
One of the best times to drink warm water is when you get up in the morning. This helps to kick-start your metabolism, so it functions at optimal levels throughout the day. It's also a good idea to drink warm liquids with your meals as this helps to keep everything fluid and protects your internal organs.