Kinkini Gupta
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Written By: Kinkini Gupta | Updated : April 12, 2024 6:09 PM IST
Is Post-Meal Walk Good For Heart Health? Here Are Some Pros And Cons You Should Be Aware Of
Walking after a meal is a very therapeutic exercise and comes with multiple health benefits both physiological and psychological. Physiologically, walking after a meal can help you with the following problems: indigestion, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), acid reflux, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, blood sugar spike, weight gain and belly fat gain. Walking is also very good for your mental health and walking right after a meal can have these following impacts: better sleep, feel rejuvenated and less sluggish, better concentration, better mood, and reduction in stress and anxiety.
Here are 4 reasons why you should go for a walk right after a meal:
Walking is very good for digestion. It induces faster break down of food thereby improving both your digestion and metabolism. A study conducted in 202o revealed that walking after a meal may also be beneficial for people who have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The more they walk, the better their digestive system will be.
People who are diabetic could majorly benefit with a post-meal walk. Eating a heavy meal especially if it includes carbs might lead to an unnecessary spike in blood sugar levels. This is really bad for the health of diabetic patients. But, research suggests that, a walk right after a meal could reduce instances of sugar spike. It even increases insulin production in the body.
Walking right after a meal is also very good for your heart health. Research suggests that it has multiple benefits such as: reducing LDL cholesterol levels in the body, boosts cardiovascular function and regulates blood pressure.
Instead of taking a nap right after eating lunch or going to sleep immediately after dinner, you should stay active in some or the other ways. This will help prevent weight gain especially in the abdominal region. Walking is the best activity that is recommended right after a meal.
Yes, walking right after a meal is not always good for everyone. Firstly, research says that walking may be good but walking right after a meal may not be good for heart patients or people who have had heart diseases in the past. For such people it is recommended that they walk before their meal rather than after. Typically, after eating, the digestive system requires increased supply of blood in order to break down food quickly. The heart is already pumping blood faster than normal due to this reason. If you take a walk at this stage, it may put extra strain on the heart especially if you are a heart patient.
