Is it Sunnah to drink three sips of water before eating?

There is no evidence in the Prophetic Sunnah to indicate that it is desirable to drink water or sips of it before eating. Some may think so because of the desirability of drinking in three sips, but this desirability is not related to drinking before food; rather, it applies to all instances of drinking. Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to breathe three times while drinking and would say: "It is more thirst-quenching, healthier, and more palatable." His breathing meant moving the vessel away from his mouth and breathing outside of it. Ibn al-Qayyim mentioned that this method of drinking contains wisdom and benefits: it is more thirst-quenching, flows more beautifully, is safer from diseases that might result from drinking in one gulp, and avoids choking.