Is it okay to drink water immediately after eating fruits?

Hi, I am a 30-year-old woman. Through some research, I found that my daily diet plan should include at least one seasonal fruit. However, I have a habit of drinking water after eating fruits. My mother restricts me from it; she says it’s bad for my health. Is this true? What precautions should I follow while eating fruits?
Like you, many people believe that drinking water right after eating fruits is bad for health as it can cause flatulence and pain. It is assumed that fruits contain a high amount of sugar and yeast (a microbe), and when you drink water immediately after eating a fruit, it dilutes the stomach acids. This creates a favourable environment for the yeast to survive and produce alcohol and carbon dioxide — a common cause of gas build-up in the stomach.

‘This is a myth that most tend to believe. Even after drinking water, the stomach pH remains in the range of 2-4, which does not favour the growth of yeast. Moreover, it requires yeast to remain in the stomach for more than 2-3 hours to proliferate and produce carbon dioxide,’ explains Dr Neha Sanwalka, nutritionist and dietician.  
Fruits can cause flatulence but not because of drinking water after consuming it. When you eat a lot of fruits on a daily basis, there is a high chance that  gut bacteria will produce more carbon dioxide. This in turn may lead to flatulence and belching.
Our expert, Dr Neha, provides tips on eating fruits the right way.

• Replace unhealthy snacks with fruits: You can eat fruits in between meals – mid-morning, mid-afternoon or in the evening, as they are a great source of energy and nutrients in-between meals. Not only will they help keep your stomach full, but also prevent you from binging on unhealthy foods. Here’s the right time to have fruits.
• Low GI fruits for diabetics: If you suffer from diabetes, avoid fruits that are high in glycemic index (GI). Do not eat fruits before going to bed, it may cause a sudden increase in your blood sugar levels.
• Wash fruits properly: Always wash fruits thoroughly under clean running water before eating them. It will prevent you from consuming chemicals, germs or the wax coating commonly found on fruits. Here’s a guide to washing fruits the right way.
• Never eat cut fruits: Avoid keeping cut fruits for a long time before eating. This practice not only increases chances of contamination but also lowers the nutritive value of fruits namely vitamin C and B complex vitamins.