Taking hot showers also has other downsides for our digestion (amongst other things). Studies show that hot water wash away the natural oils and enzymes that aid in nutrient absorption and lead to water loss and dehydration.
So will a cold shower be better for after eating? Dr. Ali says that cold showers don’t redirect blood away from our digestive system and studies show that cold showers can boost our metabolism, enabling faster and smoother digestion of food. But Patil states that there is no scientific backing for this claim. “The answer is nuanced—while some believe that a cold shower can ‘shock’ the system into digesting food faster, there is limited scientific evidence to support this claim,” she says. “In addition, cold showers may constrict blood vessels and slow down digestion, potentially interfering with digestion.”
The Best Time to Shower Post-Meal
While there isn’t a set timeline, all experts recommend waiting at least 30 minutes to an hour before showering. Dr. Ali explains that this will ensure the appropriate blood flow to the stomach and allows for enough time for the digestive process to begin, reducing the risk of any sort of discomfort or digestive disturbance. “The ideal time to shower largely depends on your personal preferences and lifestyle. However, many people find that showering in the morning helps them wake up and feel refreshed for the day ahead. Others prefer to shower in the evening to unwind and wash away the day’s stress,” says Wahi.
If it fits your schedule better, you might even want to consider showering before eating. According to Patil, from a digestive standpoint, showering before meals is usually recommended. “This allows for relaxation and preparation before eating—this promotes better digestion and absorption of nutrients.”
What Else Not to Do After You Eat
Showering after a meal isn’t the only activity experts advise against. There are other things to avoid so that you feel comfortable and are able to digest food properly. Dr. Ali lists the following as big no-no’s post-eating:
Brush Teeth
While this is more about taking care of the health of your teeth, Dr. Ali says it’s not a good idea to brush immediately after a meal as it can damage our tooth enamel. He recommends waiting at least an hour or so for our saliva to naturally remove food particles and also allow our oral cavity to return to its proper pH level.
Sleep
Though taking a nap (or just going straight to sleep) sounds lovely after a hearty meal, Dr. Ali says that going to bed won’t give our bodies the sufficient amount of time to digest food. In fact, he says it can lead to heartburn and acid reflux if we lie down right after eating. He recommends waiting at least two to three hours before hitting the sack.
Exercise
This can depend on what you eat and how big your meal was, but generally speaking you’ll want to wait one to two hours after eating to work out. “At that point, the food in our stomachs digested enough, lowering chances of indigestion and stomach upset,” says Dr. Ali. If you’ve eaten something small and snack-like, he says that a 30-minute to an hour wait time is sufficient.
Swim
The old adage of waiting at least 30 minutes after eating before jumping into a pool actually isn’t backed by scientific evidence, says Dr. Ali. The thought process came to be, he explains, because when we swim, blood is diverted away from the gut and supplied to the arm and leg muscles, thus impairing our ability to digest our food. So while the no exercising rule still stands after eating (don’t go doing Olympic-level relays), you should be fine if you’re going for a leisurely dip.
The Best Activity Post-Meal
The tried and true way that Dr. Ali recommends to ease digestion after eating by going for a simple walk. Walking after a meal has proven to have many healthy benefits, such as reducing blood sugar levels, promoting healthy weight loss, and boosting your heart health. By walking, you’re helping relieve symptoms of bloating, constipation, acid reflux, and other digestive issues. As an added bonus, it can help you get those 10,000 steps in. So it’s a win-win all-around.