Does exercising before breakfast help you lose weight or harm your stomach?

Exercising in the morning on an empty stomach is becoming a habit of many people who want to 'burn fat quickly' and lose weight effectively. However, there are opinions that this can be harmful to the stomach?

Specialist Doctor 1 Bui Hoang Bich Uyen, Department of Nutrition, Xuyen A General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City said that exercising before breakfast (on an empty stomach) increases fat oxidation for 24 hours compared to exercising after eating or being sedentary, in both men and women. This effect is related to the mobilization of more fat as an energy source when carbohydrate stores are low overnight.

Several studies and reviews show that exercising in the morning on an empty stomach may result in greater reductions in body fat and waist circumference, especially in overweight or obese people, compared with exercising in the evening or exercising after eating.

However, the long-term impact on weight depends on overall calorie balance. Some studies have shown that skipping breakfast can reduce daily calorie intake, which can aid weight loss, but this is not true for everyone and may depend on individual eating habits.

Most people can do moderate morning exercise, but those with digestive or stomach problems should be cautious.

ILLUSTRATION: AI

How does exercising before breakfast affect the stomach and intestines?

Moderate-intensity morning exercise is generally safe for the gut in healthy people. However, exercising on an empty stomach increases gastric acid secretion, increasing unpleasant signs such as heartburn, nausea, and epigastric pain, especially during prolonged or high-intensity exercise.

Eating breakfast before exercise reduces stress markers in the gut, which has a protective effect on the gut lining.

Most people can exercise in the morning at a moderate level, but those with sensitive stomachs or pre-existing gastrointestinal problems (such as peptic ulcers, gastric reflux) should be cautious, as high-intensity or prolonged exercise on an empty stomach can lead to aggravation of the condition.

Exercising in the morning on an empty stomach can increase fat burning and aid weight loss, and is generally suitable for most people with healthy guts. Those with sensitive stomachs or gastrointestinal conditions should monitor their symptoms and consider eating a small meal before exercising if they experience discomfort.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tap-the-duc-truoc-khi-an-sang-giup-giam-can-hay-gay-hai-cho-da-day-185251112095117785.htm