Common harmful habits thatshould not be done after mealsare advised against
Experts consider some actions after eating to be harmful to the digestive system and believe they can even pose serious risks including an increased chances of cancer. It is better to avoid harmful activities after meals by studying and being aware of these issues to protect our health and prevent serious problems in the future. In the next part of this health sectionon SelMagz,we will talk about the harmful habits we discussed.
Consuming dairy products and anything that contains milk
Sometimes at parties, you might be served a dessert made with milk that you should avoid eating because milk usually contains substances that can cause bloating and discomfort for many people. The presence of protein and carbohydrates in milk makes it difficult to digest, meaning drinking milk after meals might worsen this condition and may not be good for your health.
Drinking tea
is a popular beverage often consumed before parties and lunch or dinner, but you may have heard that drinking tea right after meals can cause problems. The reason for this is the negative impact of tea on the digestion and absorption of proteins.
On the other hand, tea can also affect the absorption of vitamins, particularlyvitamin Cand minerals such as iron. This is especially important for individuals withiron deficiency anemia.Therefore, it is better to wait at least one to one and a half hours after eating before drinking tea to avoid these food interactions and to fully benefit from your nutrients.
Drinking water
It is best to avoid drinking water for half an hour after eating; if necessary, drinking water should be done in moderation. A maximum of one and a half glasses of water is not problematic, but consuming more than that can lead to issues.
Excessive water intake after meals may increase stomach acid levels, leading toacid refluxand damaging your stomach. Additionally, consuming too much water after eating may causebloatingand a feeling of fullness in the stomach.
Heavy physical activity and exercise
Engaging in heavy exercise or using different sports equipment, especially immediately after eating, can be harmful and may lead to digestive issues. It is better to avoid intense workouts right after meals.
Walking, however, is a type of exercise that can be beneficial if done properly timed. Walking about half an hour after eating can help improve digestion and prevent problems caused by physical activity interfering with digestion.
Thus, to maintain body health and get the most out of the nutrients consumed, it’s important to carefully choose the type and timing of exercise while considering factors like the type of food, level of physical activity, and meal times.
Showering
Taking a shower immediately after eating is harmful due to changes in blood flow within the body. After eating, the brain focuses on digestion, which decreases its capacity for other activities. Furthermore, the blood flow to the hands and feet increases during showering due to physical movement, which in turn reduces blood flow to the stomach, hindering proper digestion and nutrient absorption.
In fact, digestion and nutrient absorption require facilitated blood flow, which is especially important for the stomach. If the blood flow to the stomach is decreased, food digestion will not occur properly, potentially leading to digestive problems. So, it’s better to wait a while after eating to finish digestion before showering to restore proper blood flow to the stomach and improve digestive function.
Eating dessert after meals
is emphasized as beneficial for better digestion; for example, consuming sweet foods like ice cream and pastries after meals can stimulate the secretion of stomach enzymes, thus improving digestion. However, this rule does not apply to all desserts; some desserts do not match well with certain foods.
The importance of this point is not restricted to fruits and their combinations with some foods; consuming fatty and sugary foods together can also cause problems. Fatty and sugary foods combined with bloating fruits can exacerbate bloating symptoms and potentially harm the digestive system. Additionally, the enzymes needed to digest these foods may not be compatible with fruits, leading todiarrhea.Therefore, when choosing desserts and combining foods, it’s important to be cautious and prefer desserts that suit the types and characteristics of the foods consumed to eliminate digestive problems and enjoy eating.
Napping and short sleep
When the stomach is full, lying down or taking a short nap can increase pressure on your abdomen, causing food to move towards the upper esophagus, which can damage the esophagus and cause acid reflux. This often leads to a sour taste and burning sensation in the back of the throat.
Therefore, after eating, it is best to take a break of at least half an hour to one hour before sleeping or lying down. You can also take a walk or stay seated to give your body a chance to digest food and alleviate reflux problems.
Tea after meals
