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Why You Should Avoid Strenuous Exercise Before or After Meals
The timing of meals in relation to exercise is very important. It is not advisable to engage in strenuous exercise before or after meals, and there should be a certain interval of rest between exercising and eating. When we exercise, to ensure the oxygen and nutrient supply to our muscles and bones, the central nervous system regulates the redistribution of blood throughout the body. This significantly reduces the secretion of digestive glands, thereby affecting digestion and absorption in the stomach and intestines. The more intense and prolonged the exercise, the longer it takes for the digestive organs to recover. Therefore, it is a normal physiological response to not want to eat immediately after exercise. It is generally considered more scientific to wait at least 30-40 minutes after exercise before eating. Similarly, you should not immediately engage in strenuous physical activity after a meal. If you do so, the blood that was aiding digestion in the stomach and intestines will be redistributed to the muscles and bones, which will impair digestion and absorption. Engaging in strenuous exercise right after a meal can also cause abdominal pain and discomfort due to the jarring of the stomach and intestines and the pulling of the mesentery, which can affect your health. Therefore, you should wait at least 1.5 hours after a meal before exercising. Engaging in less strenuous activities after a meal, such as walking or gentle sports and recreational activities, can not only aid digestion but is also beneficial to your health.