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AP | , Posted by Krishna Priya PallaviNew Delhi
July 21, 2024 02:54 PM IST
Our parents have warned us many times not to go swimming immediately after eating. But do you have to wait at least 30 minutes after eating before going swimming?
Did your parents forbid you from jumping into the pool right after eating? They were wrong. Doctors say that in most cases, there is no need to wait at least 30 minutes after eating to go swimming. (Read this also | Is Swimming During Pregnancy Safe for Pregnant Women?,
Should you go swimming after eating?
This older warning stems from concerns that people might drown or struggle because blood would rush to their full stomachs instead of their muscles.
In fact, people still have plenty of blood flowing to their muscles even after eating, said Dr. Matthew Badgett of the Cleveland Clinic. Badgett, a former high school swimmer, would eat a few bananas and drink some water or Gatorade before a race.
He worries that the old warning could actually cause complications. It’s important to quench your thirst before swimming, especially on sunny days. People often don’t realize they may still be dehydrated, which can lead to muscle cramps.
“When we are in water, we sweat, but we cannot tolerate water loss,” he said. (Read this also | Swimming or cycling: Which exercise is best for weight loss?,
So, jumping into the pool or ocean after eating is no big deal for recreational swimming. But people planning to swim or exercise may want to let their food digest to avoid cramping, just as they would wait before going for a jog.
Avoid swimming after drinking alcohol
Plus, swimming after drinking a few beers is risky. People who swim after drinking are more aggressive, less coordinated and make poor decisions. All of these factors can cause problems when dealing with strong currents or ocean tides at the beach this summer.
“You’re not going to be as fast,” Badgett said.
This story has been published from a wire agency feed, no changes have been made to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
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