Walking after a meal: good or bad?

The benefits of exercising on health are no doubt, numerous and the fitness community has long advised that short walks be taken from day to day after every meal to boost health.

However, among all the numerous benefits that come with engaging in this activity, some negative downsides are present.

Walking after a meal helps us in several ways, a few are:

• It assists in managing blood sugar level

For people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, walking after a meal is particularly helpful because both conditions come with effects that destruct proper processing of blood sugars and this exercise prevents an abnormal increase of the blood sugar level, which in turn reduces the amount of oral medications and insulin to be taken.

• Walking downs the risk of heart diseases

Exercise is connected to heart health. Exercising regularly reduces blood pressure and LDL cholesterol for the body. It also reduces the possibilities of developing a stroke or heart attack. 10 minutes walks after all three meals per day are effective.

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• It aids weight loss

In association with maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, physical activity effectively promotes weight loss. Consistent walking after meals helps in burning calories needed to achieve calorie deficit goal.

• Walking after meals improve digestion

This physical activity particularly helps food to digest properly by enhancing stomach and intestinal stimulation which allows the food to move through faster. Studies show that this activity prevents complications like colorectal cancer, constipation, diverticular disease, peptic ulcers, heart burn and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Negative effect:

With all being said, walking after a meal has some negative downsides/side effects which vary from person to person. A major effect is experiencing a stomach upset with varying symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, gas, bloating etc. The upset occurs when recently eaten food moves around in stomach, creating an unideal space or environmental for proper digestion to take place. Waiting 10 to 15 minutes after a meal before walking improves these symptoms.

If convenient, immediate walking after a meal will yield the best results.