7 Things You Should Avoid Doing after Eating - Food and Health

7 Things You Should Avoid Doing after Eating

Things You Should Avoid Doing after Eating

7 Things You Should Avoid Doing after Eating Many people have a bit of spare time after eating their main weekend meals and, to take advantage of that time, they have certain habits to entertain themselves or relax. Over time, these habits have spread through the population and, although some are done unconsciously, they are not always good for maintaining our well-being. They may seem rather inoffensive, but over time, these activities can contribute to uncomfortable symptoms or serious health problems. Given that many people are unaware of these risks, we want to reveal them in detail. Discover them!.

1 Sleeping. Having a siesta or going to sleep after eating can lead to troublesome digestive symptoms. Although this is a relaxing and necessary habit for many people, it is essential to bear in mind that doing this directly affects the digestive process. Given that the body is lying down, the gastric juices do not fully cover the food in the stomach. Thus, the food's nutrients are not fully absorbed. Also, it can cause problems in the esophagus, given that the acid nature of the gastric juices causes reflux and a burning sensation.

2 Smoking. It's no secret that the bad habit of smoking has serious consequences for lung and cardiovascular health. What some people don't know is that the risks are even higher when you smoke after a meal. This is because the nicotine combines with the excess oxygen that is necessary for digestion, and thus facilitates the absorption of carcinogens.

3 Eating fruit. Some people may think that fruits are a healthy alternative to complement the main meals of the day. They are sweet, versatile and seem to be a good option to replace traditional desserts. However, what few people know is that it is best to eat them on an empty stomach, whether first thing in the morning or between meals. This is because fruits require different enzymes to be digested well and their natural sugars need longer to be absorbed fully. Without other foods to digest at the same time, the body benefits from all their nutrients, fibers and simple sugars, which will give you more energy. If you eat fruits just before or after an abundant meal, they will stay in the stomach for longer and can cause indigestion, gases and other annoyances. Taking a shower. Taking a shower is relaxing and good for circulatory health, However, it's not ideal to take one after eating, because it can weaken the digestive system. Showers increase the blood flow to the hands and lower parts of the body, and then reduce the quantity of blood that goes to the stomach. As a consequence, your stomach may function inadequately, which can cause pains, inflammation and heaviness.

5 Drinking cold water. Drinking cold water during or after after meals can cause poor digestion. It causes foods to agglutinate and makes the processes of absorbing nutrients and separating out waste more difficult.

6 Drinking tea. Although tea is a healthy drink, it's not advisable to drink it with main meals. It interferes with the absorption of iron, because it contains a substance called tannic acid which binds to proteins and this mineral. As a result, there is a reduction of up to 87% in the absorption of iron, which can lead to chronic episodes of anemia. This nutrient is essential for producing red blood cells in the blood and so an iron deficiency can cause symptoms like:. Chest pain. Pale skin. Weakness and extreme tiredness. Nails that break easily. Lack of appetite. Cold hands and feet.

7 Walk or run. It is a mistake to think that doing physical exercise after eating will help you to drop waist sizes and burn calories. While it can't be denied that running and walking are healthy, doing so after eating an abundant meal can cause indigestion and discomfort. As a result, it's not advisable to walk until at least 30 minutes after eating a meal. Or, if you do walk sooner, it shouldn't be for more than 10 minutes. Do you have any of these habits? If so, take a mental note and from now on try to avoid them to that they don't interfere with your health...