Is There a Best Time of Day to Drink Water for Better Digestion? Dietitians Weigh In

Dietitians have highlighted that staying consistently hydrated throughout the day, rather than drinking water at a specific time, is key to supporting healthy digestion. Drinking a glass of water with every meal can help stimulate saliva production, make food easier to chew and swallow, support its movement through the digestive tract and maintain regular bowel movements by keeping stools soft.

Drinking water before, during or after meals can all support digestion, with no strong scientific evidence that drinking water during meals dilutes stomach acid or that drinking immediately after eating disrupts digestion. However, people experiencing acid reflux or delayed stomach emptying may benefit from taking smaller sips throughout the day and avoiding large amounts of water around mealtimes to reduce discomfort, bloating and nausea.