It may be tempting to head back to your desk immediately after lunch or settle on the couch as soon as you’re done with dinner?
While some claim walking after a meal reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, others state they love it because of its debloating effects and impact on digestion. And some believe it’s a major factor in maintaining their weight.
It’s no secret that walking (and more movement in general) can have a big effect on your well-being — but is walking after a meal really as good for you as some claim it to be?
Is walking after you eat good for your gut?
In order to understand why a post-meal walk is important, we need to know how our gut works.
The more we move, walk, stretch or exercise, the stronger and more effectively that our gut squeezes
These gastrointestinal muscle contractions are great for accelerating stomach emptying, improving transit through the intestinal tract and promoting the clearance of gas and waste through the digestive system. This ultimately helps prevent bloating and constipation.
It’s even better when the movement you do post-meal allows you to pass gas — which may not always be comfortable to discuss but is ultimately good for your health.
Digestion isn’t the only benefit to walking after you eat, that walking also helps regulate blood sugar — which is especially helpful after a meal. Regulating blood sugar involves maintaining stable glucose levels in the bloodstream, which is crucial for overall health and energy levels. Walking after a meal aids in this process by preventing spikes or crashes in blood sugar levels and keeping insulin levels stable, which can help you manage your risk of diabetes.
There’s another psychological reason you may want to walk after a meal, walking also has mental health benefits, such as reducing stress.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend adults get 150 minutes weekly of moderate-intensity physical activity, as well as two days of muscle strengthening activity. Your post-meal walks can count toward that 150 minutes, especially if you go at a brisk pace.
Lengthy, intense exercise sessions can divert blood away from the digestive system, potentially causing symptoms including cramping and nausea — plus, the release of stress hormones and dehydration during intense workouts can further affect GI function.
Ultimately, walking after a meal is a great way to get digestion moving, as well as help other immediate body processes — but the benefits of adding more movement into your life are also long-term.
