Why You Should Walk After Eating: Surprising Health Benefits
By Dr. David Samadi
Let’s explore the myriad benefits of walking after meals. While it’s tempting to simply relax in an easy-chair post-dinner after a full day of working, buying groceries, and cleaning the house, try instead to go on a walk. Incorporating a walk into your routine following meals can provide significant health advantages with minimal effort.
Does what time of day matter?
Timing is indeed important. Experts generally advise walking within thirty minutes of eating, but the key is to do so comfortably. Research consistently shows that even a short, leisurely stroll can improve blood sugar levels and other cardiometabolic risk factors compared to remaining sedentary after meals. There’s no need to measure distance or step count precisely—what’s crucial is making walking a habit, whenever it suits you best.
Ways walking supports health
The benefits extend far beyond immediate glucose control. Regular post-meal walks contribute positively the health of your heart by helping reduce blood pressure and improving cholesterol levels, particularly in individuals who are overweight or obese. Studies also suggest that walking aids weight management by increasing calorie expenditure and reducing the likelihood of post-meal snacking.
Yet, the advantages of walking are more than just physical. Incorporating walking into your routine after meals can enhance sleep quality by promoting better digestion and regulating circadian rhythms. Taking a post-meal walk boosts mental health by lowering stress hormones like cortisol and by releasing endorphins that boost mood. Research indicates that even a modest commitment to walking, such as 20-minute walk five days a week, is a healthy way to significantly reduce the risk of depression and anxiety.
Takeaway message
In conclusion, whether your aim is to stabilize blood sugar levels, enhance heart health, manage weight, improve sleep, or boost mood, a leisurely stroll after meals can be remarkably effective. Even a few minutes of walking can help you achieve these health benefits. So, the next time you finish a meal, consider taking a brief walk—it’s a small step toward long-term well-being and vitality.
Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board-certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.