A new research article in the journal Appetite indicates that the common advice to drink water with meals to aid weight management might be counterproductive. This study suggests that both the amount of water consumed during a meal and the pattern of alternating sips with bites could lead to eating more, rather than less, food. This finding expands upon previous research, moving beyond just pasta dishes to include other meal types, though its applicability to all cuisines remains to be fully explored.
For years, many people have embraced the idea that increasing water intake, especially during meals, can help control body weight by promoting feelings of fullness and reducing overall energy consumption. Surveys have shown this to be a widely adopted strategy among those aiming for weight loss. However, scientific evidence supporting this popular belief has been scarce. Emerging research has begun to question this assumption, with some studies suggesting an inverse relationship where higher water intake during a meal, such as a pasta meal, correlates with increased food consumption. The timing of water consumption, whether before or during a meal, may also have different effects, particularly in older individuals.
The researchers utilized data from two prior randomized crossover studies, which examined participants consuming either mild or spicy versions of beef chili or chicken tikka masala. Each participant was given ample portions of food and room-temperature water, with their eating and drinking behaviors meticulously video-recorded. The combined data from 172 meals, involving 86 participants, showed that on average, individuals drank 236 grams of water per meal and switched between bites and sips approximately 8.5 times. Spicy meals tended to elicit more frequent switching, but overall water intake remained consistent regardless of spiciness. Surprisingly, every additional 100 grams of water consumed was linked to an increase of 39 grams of food and 49 kilocalories. Similarly, more frequent switching between food and water correlated with greater food intake, while faster drinking was associated with reduced consumption. These associations persisted even after accounting for meal spiciness, study visits, and participant demographics.
This study challenges long-held dietary recommendations regarding mealtime water consumption, suggesting that it might inadvertently encourage greater food intake rather than promoting satiety. The observed link between increased switching behavior and higher meal intake, particularly among children at elevated risk of obesity, warrants further investigation. While the findings are exploratory and do not establish direct causation, they highlight the complexity of hydration and eating behaviors. Moving forward, more controlled studies are essential to definitively determine how altering water intake and eating-drinking patterns can influence overall food consumption and its implications for public health.