The lifestyle and diet of our people has become so bad that we only fill our stomach in the name of food. Eat food that looks and tastes good but lacks nutrients.
Instead of providing energy to the body, such foods make the body feel lethargic, tired and heavy. Often people eat food and their body becomes lethargic. Most people go straight to bed after having dinner. This habit is not only responsible for weight gain but also spoils digestion. Due to the habit of slowing down after eating, food remains in the stomach for a long time, which increases problems like acidity, gas, bloating and constipation.
Taking a short walk after meals is a simple but extremely effective habit, which supports digestion and can improve your health in many ways. This habit increases the body’s ability to use and process energy. Walking increases blood flow to the muscles, which improves digestion and the body absorbs nutrients more effectively. Walking also reduces stress, which has a positive effect on both mental and physical health.
Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist trained at AIIMS, Harvard and Stanford University, has recently shared a post explaining the many big benefits of walking for just 10 minutes after eating. Let us know what are the benefits of walking after eating to the body.
Blood sugar is controlled
According to Dr. Sethi, post-meal walk helps in reducing blood sugar, which is especially beneficial for people with insulin resistance or diabetes. Walking after eating causes glucose to enter the bloodstream more slowly and can lower blood sugar by about 30%. This reduces sugar spike, reduces insulin release and reduces inflammation in the body.
Reduces insulin spikes
A short walk signals your muscles to pull glucose from the blood, without needing much insulin. For this reason, post-mile walk can control the blood sugar curve more effectively than many medicines.
Improves digestion
Walking activates digestion and helps food move easily inside the stomach and intestines, thereby reducing bloating or heaviness. Light walking activates the GI tract and vagus nerve, which controls constipation and improves digestion.
bloating goes away
Bloating is a common problem that often troubles people. Some people feel full immediately after eating food. Dr. Sethi explains that walking after eating reduces gas retention which helps in carrying the food forward. This is the easiest way to improve digestion for people with IBS or slow digestion.
Acidity and heartburn are controlled
Sitting or lying down immediately after eating can increase acid reflux. Slow walks move food forward and reduce acid exposure. Just walking for 10-12 minutes can reduce acidity to a great extent.
Triglycerides levels improve
Walking after eating helps in clearing the fat present in the blood quickly. Regular post-meal walking can reduce cardio metabolic risk, fatty liver marks and waist fat.
sleep improves
Walking keeps glucose levels stable and reduces acid reflux, both major causes of poor sleep. Better sleep improves hormone balance, controls appetite and improves digestion.