Benefits You Need To Know About Walking After Eating

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After a heavy meal, it's common to feel lethargic and not want to engage in any physical activity. However, there are many benefits to walking after eating that we should all be aware of. Walking after a meal has been proven to have several advantages for our overall health. Reasons why you should consider taking a post-meal walk after breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Five primary health benefits: it improves digestion, may reduce the risk of heart disease, helps to regulate blood sugar levels, promotes healthy weight loss, and promotes better sleep patterns. Let's break it down:

Improved Digestion: Bloated stomach, constipation, acid reflux, and stomach upset are all uncomfortable signs that you may have indigestion after you eat. A quick walk can help relieve these symptoms. Dr. Viola explains that walking after eating stimulates your stomach and intestines, making your food move through your body more quickly and aiding digestion.

Reduced Risk of Heart Disease: Regular exercise has always been shown to be good for heart health, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and reducing the risk of heart disease. One study even shows that doing small quick exercises, such as a 10 to 15-minute walk after meals, over one long workout might be more beneficial to reducing the chances of heart disease.

Regulation of Blood Sugar Levels: Not moving after eating might result in excessive spikes in your blood sugar levels, which can cause insulin resistance over time and set the stage for pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Studies show that walking after eating will help reduce and balance blood sugar levels and is an effective way to lower those risks.

Promotes Healthy Weight Loss: You must burn more calories than you take in to lose weight. Walking after meals can help with maintaining or losing weight. Walking will also help with appetite regulation and curb the urge to grab those unhealthy snacks in between meals.

Better Sleep: Walking after dinner particularly helps regulate circadian rhythms; it enhances the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, making it easier to fall asleep and enjoy deeper, restorative rest. It also allows for a more comfortable and uninterrupted sleep throughout the night.

There is no time frame to start your walk. You can go immediately after you eat, as some studies show that is the time that reaps the most benefits. However, she says that you might encounter stomach discomfort if you do any physical activity soon after a meal, so it could be worth waiting 15 minutes or so before walking. Recommends a brisk walk of three to four miles per hour but Even a light walk at a slower pace will still do some good over just sitting and doing nothing.

It's important not to overdo it. Doing anything more outside like jogging or rigorous exercise will lead to digestion problems. She explains that eating shortly before more vigorous exercise can overwhelm the digestive system and potentially lead to cramping and discomfort once exercise begins.