How Movement Aids Digestion

We know that eating the right food to fuel physical activity is important, but did you know that physical activity is actually important to fuel proper digestion? (gentle music) I'm Dr. Jaclyn Tolentino, a board-certified family physician and wellness expert. My patients often come to me with questions about how to improve their digestion, and even though we discuss a thorough list of lifestyle factors, one of the first things that I recommend is to get moving. So today, I'm gonna give you a few simple tips to help you improve your digestion through movement. Our digestive process is a beautifully-synchronized series areas of activities that are happening without us even being aware. But when something is off in our gut, our bodies let us know. We may experience uncomfortable symptoms, like heartburn and upset stomach and bloating. While things like eating the right foods for our bodies and sleeping well can play a role in proper digestion, movement is also a critical piece of the puzzle. Let's look at how to move to ensure your digestion works as best as it possibly can. (gentle music continues) Have you ever been told that you shouldn't go swimming right after eating? Well, there's actually some truth to that. While physical activity helps with healthy digestion for the most part, you do need to be careful about eating too much, too close to your workout. Normally when you eat, your blood flow is directed towards your gut to help you digest your food. But if you begin to work out, your blood flow will be redirected towards your heart and other muscles. Unfortunately, this means that the gut is left unable to properly digest your food, and can lead to symptoms like heartburn or an upset stomach. So if you like to eat before physical activity, make sure that you're eating at least 45 minutes to even a few hours before you exercise, depending on what or how much you're eating. And if you like to exercise before you eat, make sure that you keep yourself well-hydrated, as dehydration is another common cause of poor digestion and gastrointestinal issues. (gentle music continues) Going for a brisk walk specifically after eating a meal, even for just 10 minutes, can promote healthy blood circulation and improve digestion. Walking after a meal speeds up the time it takes food to travel from the stomach to the small intestine, which can help you feel more comfortable sooner after eating. Research shows that post-meal walks also have a beneficial effect on blood sugar, and can also lower instances of acid reflux since digestion is occurring faster. So how soon after a meal can you lace up the sneakers? A general rule-of-thumb is to wait about an hour after a heavy or rich meal. If you've just had a snack or a small meal, you can likely head out sooner, but you'll ultimately want to listen to how your body is feeling, either way. Doing regular aerobic exercise,...