New Study Suggests Drinking Water With Meals Could Increase Food Consumption

Contrary to common advice, drinking water during a meal may not necessarily lead to eating less, according to a new study. The research, conducted by scientists at Cornell University and Penn State University, suggests that consuming water alongside food could, in some instances, lead to increased food intake.

The study involved 86 adults who consumed beef chili or chicken tikka masala with water. Researchers monitored participants' drinking habits, including sip frequency, sip size, drinking speed, and the pattern of alternating between food and water. The findings were published in the journal Appetite.

The study found a correlation between higher water consumption during meals and increased food intake. For every additional 100 grams of water consumed, participants ate approximately 39 grams more food, which equates to about 49 additional calories. Furthermore, individuals who more frequently switched between bites of food and sips of water tended to eat more, with each additional switch associated with roughly 4.4 more grams of food consumed.

Researchers theorize that this pattern, particularly the switching between food and water, might delay a phenomenon known as sensory-specific satiety. This is the effect where the appeal of a particular food diminishes the longer it is consumed. Alternating with water could reintroduce contrast, keeping the meal appealing for a longer period and thus extending the time before a person stops eating.

Dr. Paige Cunningham, assistant professor of nutritional sciences at Cornell University and lead author of the study, commented that while water is often recommended for its satiating properties, it is emptied from the stomach relatively quickly. She suggested that water might instead facilitate increased eating by providing lubrication, which can speed up consumption, and by preventing dry mouth, which could enhance food enjoyment.

However, the study's authors noted that the relatively small sample size means the findings may not be universally applicable to all meals or eating scenarios.