Have you ever felt thirsty soon after you eat ice cream or chips? We're sure you have! Why does it happen only when we eat certain types of food and not all? Let's find out!
Eating certain types of foods drains water from your body which in turn, sends a signal to your brain to replenish the lost water. This signal is the thirst which you feel. So, what are these foods?
1. Salt
Salt is high in sodium. When there is an excess of sodium in the body, more water is used to dilute it. In order to do so, your body draws water from the cells. This reduces the water content in the body and makes you thirsty.
2. Sugar
Like sodium, simple sugars use up water in the cells to break down into simpler compounds for absorption. This in turn, results in thirst.
Caution- If you often feel thirsty, diabetes may be the cause, especially if you also experience other symptoms like frequent urination, excessive fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
Take the TWC diabetes assessment (free assessment) to know your likelihood of developing type-2 diabetes. Also, consult a doctor and get a glucose test done to check if you have diabetes.
3. Diuretics
Diuretics are substances that promote urination. So, naturally, when you eat foods high in diuretics, your thirst also increases. Natural diuretics include caffeine, tomatoes, green tea, onion, garlic, blueberries etc.
4. Baked and canned food
Baked foods like bread, bun, etc. have yeast and baking soda/powder which are high in sodium. Canned foods have excess salt to preserve the food product. This again is high in sodium which leeches out water from your cells.
Apart from these, the physical properties of food like temperature, texture and taste also influences your water intake after food.
Other possible reasons:
5. Pregnancy
Feeling thirsty, as well as urinating more often than usual, is a common symptom in pregnancy and usually nothing to worry about.
6. Medications
Some medications, such as lithium, some antipsychotics, can occasionally cause excessive thirst as a side effect (water tablets).
7. Excessive bleeding
You may often feel thirsty if you are bleeding excessively, regardless of whether you have recently been hurt or are menstruating.
Final words
Your body uses thirst as a signal to let you know when it needs more water to function properly. It's common to experience thirst in hot weather or during/after a heavy workout.
However, if you find yourself repeatedly filling your glass without satisfaction, it may be an indication of another medical issue.
The next time you grab water after eating, try to assess why you're thirsty. Try taking actions thereafter.