Here’s Why Walking After Eating Can Make a Big Difference in Your Health

Most people know that feeling after a big meal when the last thing you want to do is physical activity. However, walking after eating can be life-changing for the overall health of the body. According to physicians, people should consider a post-meal walk after breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and there are several reasons why.

Walking Helps Digestion

After a meal, many people deal with issues like bloating or upset stomach. Walking is great for such situations. It gets the stomach and intestinal fluids flowing, helping the body digest food better. Doing exercise is also known to be great for the heart. It lowers blood pressure and the risk of heart problems. Surprisingly, quick post-meal walks of 10 to 15 minutes may reduce heart disease risk just like a workout.

Staying still after eating will make the body’s blood sugar levels spike, which isn’t good for the body. Walking after a meal helps stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of diabetes. Exercise is essential for staying healthy, but even a short walk can help with weight control. Walking burns calories and helps control the appetite, so the body is less likely to think about unhealthy foods between meals.

It Benefits Sleep

A post-dinner walk can help regulate sleep patterns, making it easier to fall asleep and have a good night’s rest. It also eases stomach discomfort after eating, which also helps with sleeping.

It is important to remember that starting a walk right after eating may not be comfortable, so it’s good to wait about 15 minutes before going.

The Best Amount of Time

How long a walk should be for good results depends on the goals. Walking for 10 minutes is enough for better digestion and general health but a 30-minute walk or doing 10,000 steps is better for getting fitter. It is also important not to overdo it by going too hard or jogging. A gentle walk is all the body needs to get the benefits without experiencing any problems.

The best part about walking after eating is that it requires very little time, yet yields big rewards. While walking after a meal is beneficial for overall body health, it can’t and shouldn’t replace exercise for people who are trying to get fitter or lose weight. Regardless of the end goal, putting on some shoes and taking a relaxed stroll is something that would benefit just about anyone.