Do you know there are certain things you shouldn’t do immediately after a meal? People have some after-meal habits that they are accustomed to, some good and others bad. Some of the things we do immediately after eating could complicate the digestion process. Some people engage in these habits without knowing they are harmful and have consequences. No matter how much you enjoy these habits, they should be avoided as they cause harm to the body. If you avoid doing these things after eating, food digestion will be easy. Here are 8 things you should never do immediately after eating. 1. Taking cold water after a meal
1. Taking cold water after a meal
This causes clumping of food and does not let it digest properly. Warm water is preferable as it helps absorb nutrients better.
2. Eating fruits after a meal
Everyone recommends you eat fruit but very few know that fruits just after any meal can be harmful. Eating fruits at any time is good except immediately after a meal. Fruits digest easily and reach the intestines faster than food. When you eat fruits after a meal, it gets stuck and does not travel in time to the intestines, getting spoiled as a result and spoiling food too.
3. Drinking tea or coffee immediately after a meal
Nutritionists suggest that tea should be consumed at least one hour after any meal. Tea or coffee contains polyphenols and tannins which can inhibit iron absorption by binding the iron in the foods. This can lead to iron deficiency or anemia. There is also a high acidic content in tea or coffee which will cause the protein in the food to be hardened and difficult to digest.
4. Taking a walk after a meal
It is not advisable to go for a walk immediately after eating. Taking a stroll immediately after a meal can lead to indigestion and stomach upset. It can also result in acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). If you really need to take a walk, wait at least 30 minutes after eating.
5. Smoking after a meal
Smoking is already harmful, but after a meal, it is worse. Cigarette contain several harmful ingredients. Smoking immediately after eating could cause damage to the important organs, like the liver, brain, and blood vessels.
Smoking is already harmful, but after a meal, it is worse. Cigarette contain several harmful ingredients. Smoking immediately after eating could cause damage to the important organs, like the liver, brain, and blood vessels.
6. Taking a shower immediately after eating
For digestion process to properly occur, the stomach requires a good amount of blood. A warm bath immediately after a meal reduces the amount of blood available to the stomach because it raises the temperature of the body. This weakens the digestive system and causes slow digestion. If you need to take a shower, wait at least 30 minutes after your meal.
7. Sleeping after a meal
Whatever you do, never go to bed immediately after eating. This is not good for health because as you lie down, some digestive juices from the stomach which are acidic in nature, flows back to the esophagus because of the body posture and burns the inner layer. Going to bed after eating could also lead to improper digestion and obesity.
8. Exercising after a meal
This will affect the body’s metabolism by decreasing the blood flow and causing difficulty in digesting the nutrients from the food. It may also result in vomiting, puffiness and nausea. It is advisable you wait at least 2 hours before you begin your workout.
Tags
BREAKING NEWS