There is an old saying in China, "Walk a hundred steps after a meal, and you will live to be ninety-nine." In life, many people have the habit of taking a walk after a meal, especially after dinner. However, most people are unaware that taking a walk before a meal is actually more beneficial for their health.
After a meal, the blood in the body is concentrated in the stomach for digestion. If people go for a walk at this time, the blood that should be concentrated in the stomach will be distributed to other parts of the body, resulting in a decrease in the amount of blood in the gastrointestinal tract. This can lead to insufficient digestion of food. Since the food consumed during a meal is concentrated in the stomach, it requires a large amount of digestive fluids and blood to facilitate digestion.
The digestive fluids in the stomach produce a conditioned reflex response. When food is ingested, the stomach feels full and secretes a large amount of gastric fluid. If a person immediately goes for a walk after a meal, the stomach will move rapidly, pushing incompletely digested food into the small intestine prematurely, preventing the full digestion and absorption of nutrients in the food. Therefore, after a meal, it is advisable to take a short rest so that the blood can enter the digestive organs in the right amount, allowing for proper digestion of food.
On the other hand, walking before a meal is different. Before a meal, the stomach is in an empty state, with no new fatty acids entering the fat cells. Walking at this time can effectively lower blood lipids and improve the function of blood vessels. Consistently taking a walk before a meal has the same health benefits as someone eating a high-fat, high-carbohydrate meal, and this feeling can even last for a whole day. Therefore, taking a half-hour walk before a meal is a more beneficial way to exercise for health.
Facts have proven that some common sayings or habits are not necessarily correct or scientific. We can only live a healthier life by adhering to correct lifestyle habits.
Tips from the TCM website editor:
As the saying goes, "Illness enters through the mouth," which has a close relationship with the lips, the two doors leading in and out of the oral cavity. Many people tend to overlook the lips. Most people are accustomed to washing their faces in the morning and evening but neglect to clean their lips in various daily activities, such as breathing and drinking. This can unintentionally expose themselves to bacterial infections.
People are only aware of the need to wash their hands before lunch and dinner, but they neglect the cleanliness of their lips. Having unclean lips is also unhygienic. The lips come into direct contact with the food we eat, and this is especially true for smokers. Therefore, before a meal, each of us should develop the habit of washing our hands, face, and lips clean.
