Go ahead and take the plunge: Going into the water after eating a big meal won’t bring on stomach cramps. It’s the vigorous activity in the water that brings on the lower belly ache.
Cramping has nothing to do with being immersed in water. Overexerting yourself physically, directly after eating, is not a good idea on land or in water. The sudden diversion of blood is the cause of most cramps.
After you’ve eaten a particularly large meal, the blood circulation increases in the digestive system. Extreme physical activity, if done too soon, will divert the blood and oxygen away from the stomach to the working muscles. This could cause cramping, nausea, side stitches and even diarrhea.
Depending on what, and how much you ate, wait at least one to three hours before physical activity. A meal high in protein and fat takes the longest to digest.
However, don’t park yourself on the sidelines. If your activity is of light intensity, such as a relaxing walk or bike ride, it might be to your benefit to exercise shortly after you eat. While digesting a heavy meal, blood circulation decreases to your brain, leaving you feeling sluggish.
This is the real reason we feel drowsy after a large holiday meal. It’s not the turkey’s tryptophan making you sleepy; it’s trying to digest all that food and alcohol. Your blood circulation is drawn to your stomach, helping with the digestion of your large meal. Therefore, there’s less oxygen-rich blood going to the brain, leaving you feeling lethargic.
After a big meal, gentle exercise like an easy stroll will help move some blood to your head, while still aiding the digestive process. And moving around, instead of falling asleep on the couch could help prevent much of the food from being stored as body fat.
Right after you exercise, it’s also a good idea to wait at least 20 or 30 minutes before you eat a regular meal (although a light snack is okay). Allow the blood circulation to complete its task within your muscles before you direct it to the digestive system.
Bon appetite and enjoy the pool this summer!
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Eve Lees has been active in the health & fitness industry since 1979. Currently, she is a Freelance Health Writer for several publication and speaks to business and private groups on various health topics.