Stop Drinking Water Like This (You Are Hurting Your Digestion) - YouAreSavvy

Stop Drinking Water Like This (You Are Hurting Your Digestion)

Bloated after meals? Tired despite drinking liters of water? Dr. Carlos Jaramillo reveals the 4 hydration mistakes that are sabotaging your health.

A glass of water next to a meal, illustrating the concept of mealtime hydration.

We are told from a young age: "Drink more water." It seems like the solution to everything. Headache? Drink water. Tired? Drink water. Want to lose weight? Drink water.

But Dr. Carlos Jaramillo warns that how and when you drink water matters just as much as how much you drink. In fact, doing it wrong can dilute your digestion, cause chronic bloating, and leave your cells dehydrated even if you are drinking gallons a day.

Are you making these common mistakes? Let’s dive into the science of proper hydration and how to fix it.

Mistake #1: Drowning Your Digestion

Do you sit down to lunch with a giant glass of water or juice? This is error number one.

Your stomach needs a highly acidic environment (Hydrochloric Acid) to break down food and activate enzymes like pepsin. When you drink large amounts of liquid with your meal, you dilute these gastric juices.

The Consequence:

Indigestion, gas, burping, and nutrient malabsorption. Your body struggles to break down protein, leading to fermentation in the gut (bloating).

The Fix: Stop drinking 15 minutes before eating. Take only small sips during the meal if needed. Resume drinking 30-45 minutes after.

Mistake #2: Drinking "Dead" Water

Dr. Jaramillo explains a crucial concept: Hydration requires minerals.

Water needs electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium) to conduct electricity and enter your cells via osmosis. Filtered or bottled water is often stripped of these minerals. It is "dead water."

If you drink plain water all day but don't consume electrolytes, the water just flushes through your kidneys. You pee clear liquid, but your cells remain thirsty. This is why you can drink 3 liters a day and still have a headache.

Diagram showing how electrolytes act as keys to let water into the cell.

Mistake #3: Following the "8 Glasses" Rule

"Drink 8 glasses a day" is a myth. A 50kg woman and a 100kg athlete do not need the same amount of water.

The Real Formula: Aim for 30 to 35 ml per kilogram of body weight.

If you weigh 70kg: 70 x 35 = ~2.4 Liters.
If it's hot or you exercise: Multiply by 1.2 or 1.5.

Listen to your body, check your urine color (it should be pale yellow, not clear), and adjust based on your activity.

Mistake #4: The "Sugar-Free" Chemical Cocktail

Trying to be healthy, many people reach for "zero calorie" flavored waters or crystal light packets.

Don't be fooled. These are often loaded with artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5) and sweeteners like Sucralose or Aspartame that damage your gut microbiome. You are hydrating with toxins.