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What do you call a substance that absorbs water in chemistry?

A desiccant (or a hygroscopic substance)

Desiccant is the most common practical term for a substance deliberately used to absorb water/moisture (e.g., silica gel, calcium chloride, or molecular sieves).

Hygroscopic describes the property of readily absorbing water vapor from the air (many desiccants are hygroscopic; some materials like table salt or certain polymers also show this behavior).

Related but distinct terms:

• Hydrophilic means “water-loving” (attracted to water), but does not necessarily imply bulk absorption.
• Absorbent is a broader everyday word for materials that soak up liquid water (e.g., a sponge or paper towel).

Some foods are desiccants or have absorbent properties.

Such as pasta, rice, breads, cereals, sponge cakes . . .

When preparing foods that are desiccants, the cook must allow the food to reach full liquid saturation and serve in a state of full liquid saturation.

Further on, served in a sauce that puts the hydration in excess.

Otherwise, water comes out of the human body and that is not the point of food.