Walk a hundred steps after a meal, only by mastering the skills can it be effective

“Take a hundred steps after a meal, and you will live to be ninety-nine”, this is a Chinese folk saying, which fully illustrates the importance of walking after a meal to health. However, experts say that walking after a meal also requires certain skills, such as choosing the right time and walking method.

1. The true meaning of “walking a hundred steps after a meal”

There have always been some misunderstandings about this ancient saying. In fact, “walk a hundred steps after a meal” does not necessarily mean walking a hundred steps. The real "hundred-step walk" should be "swinging walk", which is not a forced march or exercise-style walk, but swinging your arms and strolling leisurely and slowly. Experts remind that “walking a hundred steps after a meal” is most suitable for those who work at a desk for a long time, are overweight or have excessive stomach acid. Just walking for 20 minutes can promote gastrointestinal motility, secretion of digestive juices and digestion and absorption of food.

Which of the three meals a day does “after meal” refer to? After breakfast, you have to go to work, after lunch you also have to participate in necessary activities, and after dinner, take a slow walk for half an hour. It is relaxing and good for the body. This is the true meaning of “Walk a hundred steps after a meal, and you can live to ninety-nine.”

2. When should you leave after a meal?

Generally speaking, the habit of putting down your chopsticks and leaving is not advisable. Because the food we eat needs to stay in the stomach for a while and mix with the gastric juice that helps digestion and absorption. Standing up and walking immediately after eating will undoubtedly add a lot of tension to the stomach and disrupt the normal process.

Therefore, experts recommend that you rest for about 30 minutes after a meal before starting a walk to achieve the health-care effect. If you want to exercise, it is best to do some light exercise after a meal, otherwise it will cause bloating, gas accumulation, and colon syndrome.

3. How should you walk after a meal?

The digestion and absorption process of the gastrointestinal tract requires sufficient blood supply. Too much exercise will increase the blood circulation of the muscle tissue, and the blood will be diverted to other parts of the body, which will affect the absorption of nutrients. The correct way to walk can be described as "strolling leisurely in a garden."

If you have to go up and down stairs or jog across the road within a hundred steps, it is better to walk around first. It is best to wait until an hour and a half after a meal to engage in more strenuous activities. In addition, weather and solar terms are also important. Winter is not suitable for outdoor walking. In this case, walking around in the living environment will be more effective.

4. Who is not suitable for walking a hundred steps after a meal?

Although taking a walk after a meal has many benefits, it is not entirely suitable for some people. Like an old man who lives a leisurely life after retirement, he goes dancing or walking immediately after dinner every day. But after a while, I found that my stomach was bloated, slightly painful, and my appetite decreased a lot. After going to the hospital for a check-up, it turned out to be gastroptosis. Experts explain that after a meal, when the stomach is full of food, walking will increase vibration and increase the burden on the stomach. Especially when you eat too much, standing for a long time can easily cause or aggravate gastroptosis. Therefore, if you feel full, it is best not to walk around, do not drink excessive water for the time being, lie on the bed and wait for the bloating feeling to subside before going for a walk. While walking, use both hands to massage your abdomen in a clockwise direction to promote digestion and absorption of food by the gastrointestinal tract. People with gastroptosis should avoid walking around or standing for a long time after a meal. They can sit down or lie down for a while before moving around.