Hi Friends,
So many of us wait until mealtime to chug down a big glass of water. In fact, for years, drinking water with meals was promoted as a way to help people feel fuller and eat less.
But what if that water was actually contributing to indigestion—making symptoms like bloating, reflux, and feeling overly full even worse? Watch my short video above where I explain how excess water could be sabotaging your digestion.
Despite being a gut health specialist, I was guilty of this myself. I always drank a lot of water with meals.
Today, I think differently.
Over the years, I've observed that excessive fluids around meals can be problematic for a subset of patients struggling with IBS, SIBO, bloating, reflux, and indigestion. In these cases, the water may dilute what I like to call your "Digestive Fire"🔥—the natural acid, enzymes, and bile produced by the stomach, pancreas, and gallbladder that help break down food.
Why dampen your digestive fire right before, during, or immediately after eating?
Instead, I often recommend that patients drink most of their fluids between meals. Here's what you need to remember ⏰:
✅ Stop drinking about 30 minutes before eating
✅ Wait approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour after meals before resuming larger amounts of fluids.
Of course, it's perfectly fine to take a few sips of water as needed, whether that's to swallow your vitamins, take a Digestive Enzyme Pro, Betaine & Pepsin, or simply stay comfortable during a meal.
If you tend to feel overly full after eating, you may even find it helpful to wait 45 minutes after the meal before taking your supplements.
This simple strategy can sometimes reduce bloating and noticeably improve digestion.
As an added bonus, you may find that you need less digestive support over time. By preserving your natural digestive fire, one capsule of Digestive Enzyme Pro may be all you need instead of two.
But Isn't Drinking Water Important?
Absolutely! Hydration is incredibly important for overall health. Every cell in your body depends on adequate hydration—from your brain and muscles to your skin. Proper hydration can also support energy levels and may help with appetite regulation.
The key is timing:
✅ Focus on hydration between meals, when you have the green light to drink freely.
Rather than drinking plain water, you may notice that adding Electrolyte Powder makes a big difference in how you feel throughout the day. It provides sodium, potassium, and magnesium—important minerals that help support hydration and cellular function.
I personally drink electrolyte water daily while seeing patients, filming videos, or working out, and it helps me stay energized throughout the day.
🌞 And now that the weather is heating up, maintaining optimal hydration becomes even more important.
Our Electrolyte Powder also contains D-ribose for muscle recovery, as well as a robust amount of vitamin C and citrus bioflavonoids for antioxidant support. And as an added bonus, vitamin C plays an important role in collagen production and healthy skin—helping you glow from the inside out!
Better Digestion
Try 1-2 capsule before or after meals. Additional doses can be taken if you feel bloated between meals.
Watch this short video to find out how to do a "Betaine Challenge" to figure out if you have low stomach acid.
🍉 Watermelon Feta Sandwich
Looking for a refreshing twist on your usual salad or smoothie? This hydrating, sweet-and-salty “sandwich” is the ultimate summer bite—fresh, light, and totally unexpected.
Ingredients (Serves 2–4):
Watermelon slices (½ inch thick, about 3 x 3 inches)
Block of organic sheep’s milk feta, sliced
Persian cucumber, thinly sliced
Fresh basil leaves
Optional: balsamic glaze or cracked black pepper
Instructions:
Cut two matching slices of watermelon for each sandwich.
Layer with cucumber slices, a slice of feta, and basil leaves.
Top with the second watermelon slice.
Add a drizzle of balsamic or a sprinkle of pepper, if you like.
Serve chilled.
Give it a try—I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!
Remember, healing the gut isn't always about adding more—it can also be about optimizing the simple habits that allow your body to function the way nature intended.
Protect your digestive fire, stay hydrated, and keep nurturing your gut garden.
Wishing you a beautiful week filled with health, joy, and renewed energy. 🧡
Warm regards,
Rajsree Nambudripad, MD
