As Christmas approaches, you’re probably starting to think about the kinds of food and drink you will be serving up during the holiday. Most of us use Christmas as an excuse to indulge in rich foods that we may stay away from at other times of the year, including big traditional roast dinners, chocolatey desserts, and plenty of delicious snacks. After all, December is the month to share good times with loved ones and connect with old friends. What better way to do so than with a long and decadent meal?
Of course, Christmas feasting is not without its downsides. Sometimes, the abundance of heavy foods can take a toll on our bodies and leave us feeling a little too full, sluggish and tired towards the end of the day. Fortunately, we have a solution to leave you feeling refreshed and ready to take part in plenty of festive games this Christmas: Beloka Water. Read on to find out why.
Water promotes digestion
Indigestion is a very common complaint around Christmas time and can end up ruining a celebratory evening with friends and family. Rather than relying on a bottle of antacids, you can prevent indigestion from striking in the first place by drinking plenty of water throughout your meals. This is because water can help to break down large pieces of food, meaning your oesophagus and stomach do not have to work as hard. Water can also help to transport food through your body smoothly, helping to prevent constipation and bloating.
It is also notable that drinking plenty of liquids can help to regulate your food intake. Indeed, having a drink with your meal encourages you to take a pause in between bites, giving you an opportunity to process your brain’s hunger and fullness signals. Whilst indulgence can be a wonderful treat at Christmas time, overeating can end up making us feel very ill and ruin the celebration. A simple drink of water can change all of that.
Choosing what kind of water to drink
Generally speaking, we recommend opting for water with a strong minerality to aid digestion and leave you feeling refreshed. Mineral water such as that sold at Beloka Water can serve to increase the secretion of amylase from the pancreas thanks to its high concentration of sulfates. This helps to speed up the breakdown of food in the stomach.
Water which contains high levels of magnesium can also work to prevent constipation and improve the overall functioning of the digestive system. This is because magnesium helps the intestines draw in water and relaxes the intestinal muscles. If you suffer from constipation or other related digestive disorders, therefore, opting for mineral water on Christmas day could help you to enjoy yourself without worrying about how much you are eating.
Finally, bicarbonates found in mineral water can help to balance the acidity of your stomach and prevent issues such as heartburn and indigestion. At Beloka Water, we offer waters high in all of these helpful minerals that should leave you feeling energised and content after a long Christmas meal.
Sparkling or still?
Sparkling water is said to be beneficial to digestive health for a number of reasons, including:
Improves ability to swallow
Carbonated water is thought to stimulate the nerves that aid in swallowing. If you ever have difficulties surrounding swallowing – particularly if you suffer from issues such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) – then a glass of sparkling water could help alleviate symptoms.
Increases feelings of fullness
Sparkling water may help to ensure that food remains in your stomach for a longer period of time than plain water, potentially increasing the feeling of fullness. This may be particularly helpful if you have difficulty controlling your food intake.
May help to alleviate constipation and stomach pain
Sparkling water is thought to be particularly good at relieving constipation and stomach pain thanks to its ability to aid digestion and soothe the stomach.
If you decide to make the most of sparkling water and digestive benefits, we recommend opting for a product with soft to medium bubbles. As well as being a delicious and gentle beverage to sip alongside your Christmas dinner, it will be optimal for your digestive system.
If sparkling water is not your thing, opt for plain water with enough mineral weight to cope with heavy foods such as Beloka Water.
What about alcohol?
Many people enjoy a glass of wine or two on Christmas day. Fortunately, Beloka Water complements virtually all wines perfectly. However, we also believe that our water is so good that it gives you the option of having an epicurean Christmas meal without alcohol. What better Christmas indulgence than water that looks after your body and tastes delicious?