According to the doctor, one of the most widespread myths is the belief that no liquids should be drunk with food – whether it be water, tea, coffee, or juice – because this may dilute stomach acid and hinder the digestive process.
"The stomach always secretes the amount of acid needed to digest any food. It is equipped with chemical receptors that measure the concentration of acid and direct its production. It is true that drinking liquids temporarily dilutes the concentration of gastric juice, but the stomach cells compensate for this by secreting more acid, and therefore the digestive process is not affected."
She adds that more moist food mixes better with gastric juices, contributing to faster and more efficient digestion.
Mikhaleva also refuted the myth that drinking liquids during meals leads to bloating, asserting that liquids do not cause this at all.
She explains: "Water is absorbed quickly and leaves the stomach within minutes, so it doesn't have time to expand. Bloating is caused by chronic overeating, not by drinking liquids."
The doctor points out that drinking liquids with meals is beneficial in some cases, such as certain digestive disorders, as it helps to homogenize food and facilitates digestion. It may also help overweight individuals because liquids cause dietary fiber to swell in the stomach, increasing its volume by two to three times and promoting a feeling of fullness more quickly.
Drinking tea and coffee with meals in moderation is not harmful, contrary to popular belief. There is a misconception that the tannins in these beverages hinder the absorption of vitamins and minerals.
"This is incorrect. Tannins do not affect vitamin absorption at all, and their effect on minerals is limited and only appears when taking mineral supplements. Minerals that occur naturally in food are bound to other molecules, often amino acids, and therefore their absorption is not affected by one or two cups of tea or coffee."
The doctor emphasizes the need for caution when taking mineral supplements, in particular, as tea and coffee can interfere with the absorption of magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, and calcium supplements. Therefore, she advises leaving a two- to four-hour gap between drinking these beverages and taking supplements. The same applies to some medications.