Relaxing with a hot shower right after devouring your dinner might sound soothing, but did you know it could be monkeying around with your digestion?
Here’s a scoop from the experts at Plumbnation on why a steamy shower can wait.
The Blood Flow Balancing Act
After you’ve enjoyed a meal, your body isn’t just sitting there; it’s firing up the digestive system, demanding more blood flow to your stomach and intestines to break down that scrumptious grub.
This is when your digestive organs need blood most, to ferry essential oxygen and nutrients around.
But here’s the rub—hopping into a hot shower throws your body a curveball. The heat from the shower makes your blood vessels get a bit too friendly and open wide, especially around your skin.
It’s all about vasodilation, where your body pulls blood to the skin’s surface to cool down. While it feels nice, it steals blood from where it’s currently needed most—your digestive system.
This switcheroo can leave you feeling sluggish or like you’ve swallowed a bowling ball.
Putting the Brakes on Digestion
Aside from making your digestive system the third wheel, the soothing nature of warm water can slow down the digestion process.
Like a cosy blanket, heat relaxes your muscles, including those in your digestive tract, which means your food hangs around in your stomach longer.
This can lead to the not-so-fun party guests: bloating, indigestion, and nausea, particularly after a hearty or fatty meal.
The Dizzying Effects
Ever feel woozy during a hot shower? Well, that’s because hot showers can drop your blood pressure, which gets even trickier post-meal.
With your blood vessels dilated from the heat and your body already diverting blood for digestion, there’s less to go around, which can lead to dizziness, a bout of nausea, or even fainting in rare cases if you make a quick move.
PlumbNation’s expert spokesperson, “After a meal, it’s tempting to relax with a hot shower, but it’s best to wait. Not only does this aid digestion, but it could prevent you from feeling bloated or sluggish.
Your body needs sufficient blood flow to the stomach after eating to digest food properly. By delaying your shower for about 30 minutes, you’ll give your digestive system time to work efficiently.
If you’re concerned about blood pressure fluctuations or dizziness, a simple solution is to opt for a lukewarm shower instead of a hot one.
This prevents your body from diverting too much blood to the skin. Also, avoid standing up too quickly in the shower after a meal.
Keeping these tips in mind can help you feel better after eating, and it’s an easy change that supports your overall health.”
So next time you think about jumping into the shower right after you eat, remember: give it a 30-minute breather. It’s a simple switch that can drastically improve your post-meal comfort and overall health.