Close X
Sunday, November 10, 2024
ADVT 
Health & Fitness

Do you really have to wait to go swimming after eating?

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Jul, 2024 10:53 AM
  • Do you really have to wait to go swimming after eating?

Did your parents warn you against jumping in the pool right after eating? They were misguided.

In most cases, there’s no need to wait at least 30 minutes after eating to go for a swim, doctors say.

That old warning stems from worry that people might drown or struggle because blood will be diverted to their full stomachs instead of their muscles.

In reality, people still have plenty of blood flowing to their muscles after eating, said Dr. Matthew Badgett of the Cleveland Clinic. A former high school swimmer, Badgett used to eat a couple of bananas and drink some water or Gatorade before he raced.

He worries that the old warning can actually cause complications. It’s important to quench your thirst before swimming, especially on sunny days. People often don’t realize they can still get dehydrated, which can lead to muscle cramps.

“We sweat when we are in the water, we just don’t appreciate the water loss,” he said.

So, jumping in the pool or ocean after eating is no big deal for recreational swimming. But people planning to swim laps or exercise may want to let their food digest to avoid cramps, just like they’d wait before jogging.

Also, swimming after tossing back a few beers is risky. People tend to be more aggressive, less coordinated and prone to bad choices when they swim after consuming alcohol. Those factors all can cause problems when dealing with strong currents or ocean tides at the beach this summer.

“You’re just not going to be as sharp,” Badgett said.

 

MORE Health & Fitness ARTICLES

Want a great summer body? Find out more about Coolsculpting

Want a great summer body? Find out more about Coolsculpting
CoolSculpting will literally freeze your fat off.... Well find out all about CoolSculpting with DARPAN’s social media host Ish Sharma as she chats with Dr Satinder Sanghe of Wave Skin Care in Surrey on this treatment and how to transform your body to the one that you love.

Want a great summer body? Find out more about Coolsculpting

Men should limit alcohol to 1 drink a day, experts say

Men should limit alcohol to 1 drink a day, experts say
If you decide to have an alcoholic drink, limiting yourself to one a day is best — whether you’re a man or woman.

Men should limit alcohol to 1 drink a day, experts say

Outdoor Fitness Options Available in Surrey This Summer

Outdoor Fitness Options Available in Surrey This Summer
Starting July 6, the City of Surrey is providing residents with more options to stay fit this summer with outdoor fitness classes and outdoor built-in fitness equipment re-opening.

Outdoor Fitness Options Available in Surrey This Summer

'Grief mode': What the loss of summer camp means for kids

'Grief mode': What the loss of summer camp means for kids
It wasn’t just the leadership opportunities or seeing his best friends or even escaping months stuck at home because of the coronavirus pandemic that had Rory Sederoff thinking 2020 would be one of his best summers ever.

'Grief mode': What the loss of summer camp means for kids

Italy survey finds irritability, anxiety in locked-down kids

Italy survey finds irritability, anxiety in locked-down kids
A survey conducted in Italy on the psychological impact of coronavirus lockdowns on children has quantified what many parents observed during weeks cooped up at home: kids were more irritable, had trouble sleeping and for some of the youngest, wept inconsolably and regressed developmentally.

Italy survey finds irritability, anxiety in locked-down kids

Johnson says popular "Body Break" series was created to battle racism

Johnson says popular
Television personality Hal Johnson, who co-hosted the Canadian health and fitness segment "Body Break," said the long-running series was started to combat racism.

Johnson says popular "Body Break" series was created to battle racism