Our lifestyle and diet have become so depraved that we only fill our bellies in the name of food. We eat food that looks good and tastes good, but lacks nutrients. Instead of providing energy, these foods make us feel sluggish, tired and heavy. Often, people eat food and their bodies become sluggish. Many people go straight to bed after dinner. This habit not only contributes to weight gain but also disturbs the digestive system. The habit of sleeping immediately after eating causes food to stay in the stomach for a long time, leading to problems like acidity, gas, bloating and constipation.
Taking a short walk after a meal is a simple yet highly effective habit that 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 helps the body absorb nutrients more effectively. Walking also reduces stress, which has a positive effect on both mental and physical health.
A trained gastroenterologist from AIIMS, Harvard and Stanford University. Saurabh Sethi recently shared a post detailing the many benefits of just a 10-minute walk after a meal. Let’s explore the benefits of walking after meals.
Controls blood sugar
Dr. According to Sethi, walking after a meal helps lower blood sugar, which is especially beneficial for people with insulin resistance or diabetes. Walking after a meal helps glucose enter the bloodstream more slowly and can lower blood sugar by up to 30%. It reduces sugar spikes, reduces insulin release and reduces inflammation in the body.
Reduces insulin spikes
A short walk signals your muscles to remove glucose from the blood without requiring more insulin. So walking after a meal can control blood sugar more effectively than many medications.
Improves digestion
Walking activates the digestive system and helps food move smoothly through the stomach and intestines, reducing bloating and heaviness. Light walking activates the GI tract and the vagus nerve, which helps control constipation and improve digestion.
Relief from flatulence
Flatulence is a common problem that often bothers people. Some people experience bloating immediately after eating. Dr. Sethi explains that walking after a meal reduces gas, which helps move the meal along. This is a simple way to improve digestion for people with IBS or slow digestion.
Controls acidity and heartburn
Sitting or lying down immediately after eating can aggravate acid reflux. Slow walking moves food forward and reduces acid exposure. Just 10-12 minutes of walking can significantly reduce acidity.
Improves triglyceride levels
Walking after a meal helps clear fat from the blood quickly. Regular walking after meals can reduce cardiometabolic risk, fatty liver markers and waist fat.
Improves sleep
Walking can stabilize glucose levels and reduce acid reflux, both major causes of poor sleep. Better sleep improves hormonal balance, controls appetite and improves digestion.