As the saying goes, "A few sips of soup before a meal are better than any prescription medicine," and there is scientific truth to this. This is because, from the mouth, throat, and esophagus to the stomach, there is a passage, a path that food must take. Drinking a few mouthfuls of soup before a meal is like adding a "lubricant" to this digestive tract, allowing food to pass smoothly and preventing dry, hard food from irritating the mucous membranes of the digestive system.
It is also beneficial to have some soup during the meal. This helps to dilute and mix the food, which in turn aids the stomach and intestines in digesting and absorbing it. If you don't drink soup before or during the meal, the body will lose excessive fluids due to the large secretion of gastric juice after eating, leading to thirst. Drinking water at this point, however, will dilute the gastric juice and affect the absorption and digestion of food. Therefore, some nutritionists believe that developing the habit of having soup before or during meals can also reduce the incidence of diseases such as esophagitis and gastritis. It has also been found that those who frequently consume various soups, milk, and soy milk are most likely to maintain a healthy digestive system.
Of course, while drinking soup before a meal is beneficial for health, it doesn't mean that the more you drink, the better. It should be tailored to the individual, and the timing of consumption should be mastered. Generally, half a bowl of soup is suitable before lunch or dinner, while you can have a bit more before breakfast, as the body loses a significant amount of fluid after a night's sleep. The best time to drink soup is about 20 minutes before the meal, and you can also have it slowly and in small amounts during the meal. In short, the amount of soup should be what feels comfortable for your stomach, and you should avoid "gulping" it down voraciously, either before or after the meal.