After a meal, we usually have a few free minutes left, and we spend this time on some familiar activities that seem to help us get distracted or relax. But these habits are not always good for health. They seem quite harmless to us, but they can lead to worse symptoms and even serious health problems over time. Unfortunately, many do not know about this, so we will tell you here what not to do after eating.
What Should You Not Do After Eating?
After eating, many people like to walk, others prefer to sleep, but it is important to know that this is not very good for digestion. Both are best done some time after eating. Here are some things you need to avoid after eating:
1. Go To Bed
Sleeping after eating can lead to unpleasant symptoms that indicate digestive problems. Many people think that sleeping after eating is good and good for health, but this is not true. Such a habit is bad for digestion.
When the body is supine, the gastric juices do not completely cover the food in the stomach. As a result, the normal absorption of nutrients gets disrupted. In addition, the esophagus may be affected as stomach acid enters it (when reflux occurs), and a burning sensation occurs.
2. Alcohol Abuse
Drinking alcohol immediately after eating lots of food daily may indicate eating disorders and addiction. Unfortunately, this is a common problem, and both these disorders usually coincide. Thus, your habit of drinking several glasses of alcohol after binge eating is a sign that you need help. Such habits, if not given up, may lead to heart diseases as well as obesity.
So you must get immediate help from any nearby rehab center. Just open your browser and search for local rehab centers near me to find a list of nearby facilities. Then, get their number from their websites and contact them to get more details.
3. Smoking
It’s no secret that this bad habit has a very bad effect on the lungs and the cardiovascular system. But many do not know that it is especially harmful to smoke after eating. This is because nicotine binds oxygen necessary for the process of digestion, and this facilitates the absorption of carcinogens. Thus, avoid smoking, especially after having a meal.
4. Eat Fruits
Some people think that eating fruit after a meal is very good for health. They are sweet, nutritious, and seem to be a great substitute for traditional desserts. But few people know that it is better to eat fruits on an empty stomach. You should eat them on an empty stomach in the morning or a couple of hours after eating.
For their digestion, the body needs different enzymes. And the assimilation of natural sugar (fructose) takes more time. Digestion of other foods can interfere with these processes. If there is no such “interference,” the body better absorbs the nutrients contained in fruits.
These are, first of all, fiber and simple sugars that give the body energy. If you eat fruits after a heavy meal, their remains linger in the stomach for a long time. As a result, they can cause indigestion, increased gas, and other unpleasant symptoms.
5. Take A Shower
The shower helps to relax and improves blood circulation, but you should not take it immediately after eating. In such a situation, it can worsen the functioning of the digestive system. It happens because this procedure promotes blood flow to the arms and lower body, and less blood will flow to the stomach. Therefore, it will be worse to cope with the digestion of food. This often causes inflammation, pain, and heaviness in the stomach.
6. Drink Cold Water
It is not recommended to drink cold water during and after meals; this can adversely affect the process of digestion of food. As a result, nutrients get absorbed worse, and the process of formation of feces gets disturbed. Thus, avoid drinking cold water immediately after having a meal. Instead, you should prefer drinking lukewarm water between and before meals for better digestion of food.
7. Drink Tea
Tea is considered a healthy drink, but it is not beneficial after meals. This is because tannins contained in tea react with iron and interfere with its absorption. As a result, iron absorption can decrease by 87%, which even causes anemia.
This nutrient is essential for the formation of red blood cells in the blood, and its deficiency in the body leads to the following symptoms:
- Chest pain
- Pale skin
- Constant feeling of weakness and fatigue
- Brittle nails
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling cold in the hands and feet
It is better to have a cup of tea in the morning or in the evening when you have not eaten any meal.
8. Walk Or Run
It is wrong to think that exercising after eating is very beneficial, as it helps to burn calories. Of course, running and walking are very useful types of physical activity. But, doing them right after eating does not bring the body any goodness.
However, it may harm your body. After all, it also disrupts the digestion process! Therefore, you can walk and run only when at least 30 minutes have passed after eating. And the duration of walking or running should not exceed 10 minutes.
Take Away
Do you have any of the above habits? If yes, try to get rid of them as soon as possible so that they no longer harm your health. Some of these habits, such as drinking tea or taking a shower, are easier to give up. However, others like smoking and drinking alcohol are difficult to refrain from and require professional assistance. Thus, do not be afraid of asking for help whenever you need it. Besides, now you can even get help through online platforms, so be sure to make use of them.