Close X
Thursday, November 28, 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

Stay fit come rain or shine

Stay fit come rain or shine

It’s always sad to see it go, but the season of sun is on its way out and fall and winter a...

Stay fit come rain or shine

A motion capture suit, arm sleeve for Parkinson’s patients

A motion capture suit, arm sleeve for Parkinson’s patients
Using the suit, researchers will be able to more accurately report and assess tremors. 

A motion capture suit, arm sleeve for Parkinson’s patients

7 Ways to Have a Better Morning

7 Ways to Have a Better Morning
Yoga legend Aadil Palkhivala offers these tips that will make it easier to get going in the morning

7 Ways to Have a Better Morning

When Working Out in the Heat

When Working Out in the Heat
We’re all excited once summer comes – the season for getting outside and getting active. Whether that means running, hiking, cycling, or performing any other form of outdoor exercise, you’ve finally got the weather on your side.

When Working Out in the Heat

Summer is the season to boost vitamin D levels

Summer is the season to boost vitamin D levels
According to the Vitamin D Society, summer is the best time for Canadians to naturally generate vitamin D, which has many positive effects, including reducing the risk of developing serious diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis and others.

Summer is the season to boost vitamin D levels

Sun is good for you – you may live longer, study finds

Sun is good for you – you may live longer, study finds
Vitamin D Society urges re-examination of sun safety guidelines

Sun is good for you – you may live longer, study finds