Why should you walk after eating?

According to health experts, any form of exercise is good for the body, helping to maintain cardiovascular health, bones and joints, as well as brain function. In particular, a light walk after a meal brings the following 5 benefits:

+ Aids digestion. A light walk after a meal can stimulate the stomach and intestines, speeding up the movement of food through the body, thereby reducing indigestion, heartburn and constipation. Therefore, walking after meals is especially beneficial for people with bloating and flatulence, as well as helping to enhance the ability to digest and absorb nutrients.

+ Weight loss support. When you want to lose weight without dieting too much, daily activities that do not involve exercise (NEAT) - including walking after meals, walking to work, gardening, walking pets - are very important. According to the Mayo Clinic (USA), NEAT is the form of exercise that burns the most calories, second only to metabolic activity.

+ Control blood sugar. Exercising after a meal can reduce the risk of blood sugar spikes. This sudden increase occurs after eating starches and they are converted into sugar. In other words, walking after a meal can help control blood sugar levels.

+ Reduce stress. Research by experts at the University of Mississippi (USA) found that just 10 minutes of brisk walking or meditation can help improve mood and reduce stress levels of participants.

+ Improve your mood. Being in nature is known to have many physical and mental health benefits, even in the short term. And a walk after a meal is a good outdoor exercise that has a very positive effect on your mood. Because exercising after a meal can help produce endorphins, a hormone that creates a pleasant feeling, energizing the body and mind. In addition, exercise also releases serotonin, a hormone that helps you sleep well and increases positive feelings.

Note, to achieve the above benefits, experts recommend that people should wait 15-60 minutes after eating before starting to walk lightly for about 15 minutes. This is because at this time, blood sugar levels are often at their highest, so exercising at this time will help the body absorb glucose from the meal, regulate blood sugar and aid digestion.

DINH NHI (According to W&H)

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