Chief Executive Officer and Medical Director of Solis Hospital in Ghana, Dr Ebo Daniels has dismissed the idea that drinking water immediately after eating is unhealthy, explaining that water can actually help with swallowing and digestion depending on the food being eaten.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show with Caleb Kudah, the renowned Medical Doctor and Surgeon said there is no need to avoid water after meals simply because of concerns about its effect on digestion.
He explained that water provides lubrication, particularly when eating foods that may be difficult to swallow without it.
“If you realise that this food, if I don’t take water, it will choke me, because water helps with lubrication, then please do,” he said.
According to Dr Daniels, whether someone needs water while eating depends largely on the type of food. Foods that are already liquid or contain soup may not require additional water.
“So if the food is, let’s say, in a liquid or puree form, there’s no need to take water. If the food contains soup, there’s no need to take water,” he explained.
He was responding to a discussion about eating yam with water, where food is quickly swallowed after being mixed with water.
Dr Daniels stressed that water remains important and should not be avoided when it helps a person eat comfortably and safely.
