Surprising health benefits of a post-meal walk

Did you know there are specific benefits of walking after eating? That's right — a stroll around the block after a meal can make a big difference.

It may be tempting to head back to your desk immediately after lunch or settle on the couch as soon as you’re done with dinner, but there’s a better way to spend your post-meal time.

It’s no secret that walking (and more movement in general) can have a big effect on your well-being — but is walking after a meal really as good for you as some claim it to be? Here’s what experts say.

Your blood sugar levels will stabilize:

Regulating blood sugar involves maintaining stable glucose levels in the bloodstream, which is crucial for overall health and energy levels. Walking after a meal aids in this process by preventing spikes or crashes in blood sugar levels and keeping insulin levels stable, which can help you manage your risk of diabetes.

You’ll digest your meal faster:

Walking after eating increases your metabolism. This stimulates your stomach and bowel to break down foods more quickly and move them through your bowel efficiently. It can also help prevent issues like heartburn, constipation, bloating, acidity and upset stomach.

You’ll have a lower blood pressure:

You've probably heard that exercise is a helpful means of lowering blood pressure. What you may not have heard is that timing brief walks throughout the day (such as after meals) could offer even more results for hypertension than one longer bout of exercise. Hypertension is one of the leading causes of heart disease and stroke, so it's important to find ways to reduce high blood pressure.

You’ll burn calories:

Walking after eating can help with weight loss. Walking can boost your metabolism, helping you burn more calories from fat.

You’ll sleep better and have an elevated mood:

Walking after a meal can improve your mood. Exercise helps reduce the levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol, in the body. It also increases positive hormones like endorphins and oxytocin (also known as the love hormone). These hormones not only help you feel good, but they also help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

If you can only manage a couple of minutes of post-meal walking, that's better than not walking at all. It can also be as simple as parking farther away from the entrance if you go out for lunch or taking the stairs instead of the elevator on the way back to your desk. If you work from home, try taking a short lunchtime walk between meetings. What matters most is getting into the habit of walking after mealtimes and creating consistency within your routine whenever possible.