Saed News: Drinking cold water immediately after eating is one of the topics that has always been accompanied by different and sometimes contradictory beliefs among people, raising the question of whether this daily habit can be harmful to health or not.
According to SAEDNEWS, some common beliefs suggest that drinking cold water after meals may disrupt digestion, cause dietary fats to harden in the stomach, or even lead to long-term digestive problems; however, nutrition and gastroenterology experts emphasize that many of these claims do not have strong scientific backing.
Experts say that the human digestive system is designed in such a way that it has a high ability to regulate temperature and internal conditions. Therefore, when cold water enters the stomach, it quickly adjusts to the natural temperature of the body, and its effect on the digestion process in healthy individuals is usually negligible.
However, some studies and clinical experiences show that in some individuals, especially those who suffer from digestive problems such as bloating, gastric reflux, indigestion, or digestive sensitivities, drinking very cold water may temporarily increase discomfort, stomach spasms, or slow digestion.
On the other hand, one common belief is that cold water causes the “hardening of food fat” in the stomach; specialists reject this claim and say that the process of fat digestion in the body is more complex than this simple assumption and is not affected by the temperature of drinking water.
Nevertheless, one point that some experts emphasize is the volume and speed of water consumption after meals. Drinking a large amount of water immediately after a meal may cause feelings of heaviness, bloating, or fullness in some individuals; an issue that is more related to stomach volume pressure rather than whether the water is cold or warm.
In this regard, it is recommended that instead of completely avoiding cold water, people follow the principle of moderation. This means that if they wish to drink water after meals, it is better to consume it in small sips and in limited amounts. Also, using water at a moderate temperature may be a better option for sensitive individuals.
Nutrition experts also remind us that more important than water temperature is the overall dietary style; that is, consuming heavy, fatty, or large meals along with a sedentary lifestyle can play a much greater role in digestive problems than drinking cold water.
In conclusion, existing scientific evidence shows that drinking cold water after meals does not pose a serious risk for most healthy individuals, and many of the concerns raised in this regard are more rooted in traditional beliefs and personal experiences rather than definitive medical findings.
