After indulging in a delicious and hearty meal, a long, warm bath after dinner sounds simply divine. What could be more appealing before you crawl into the sheets than a long, relaxing bath or a nice hot shower? Especially for those of us who often struggle with sleep issuesl often take a warm bath before sleep. But is taking a bath immediately after dinner safe for you health?
You may have been told that taking a bath or shower right after a meal is actually not recommended. As your body works to digest food, bathing can interfere with the temperature, energy and blood flow required by the body during processing food. You may want to wait 20 minutes to 1 hour after eating to take a bath in order to avoid digestion and other health issues.
While research is most inconclusive about the effect of a bath after dinner, in this blog, we have taken it upon ourselves to discover whether this is just a myth or a real fact. We will find out if taking a shower after dinner is good, the best time to shower after a meal, why showering after a meal is not ideal, how long to wait after a meal if you wish to take a shower and other things you should avoid around a meal. That’s a long list, so wait no more and let’s get started!
Table Of Contents
1. Is It Good To Take A Shower After Dinner?
2. What Is The Best Time To Shower After A Meal?
3. Why Showering After Eating Is Not Ideal?
4. What Else Should You Avoid Around Your Meals?
5. Expert’s Advice
6. The Final Say
7. FAQs
8. References
Is It Good To Take A Shower After Dinner?
Your body goes through a process known as hyperthermic activity when you take a heated bath or shower. This process will raise your body temperature by a degree or two. In a more general sense, hyperthermia is good for you. It can:
- Boost your immune system
- Calm down your nervous system
- Stimulate your sweat glands to flush out toxins
However, your body already has a slightly higher temperature after eating. Your body is actually directing more blood flow to your digestive organs, which is why you experience a slight warmth after a filling meal. This process, in turn, reduces blood flow to the digestive system and can cause indigestion, burning pain in the abdomen, heaviness and other symptoms.
A bath can also raise your heart rate, which is uncomfortable on a full stomach. Anecdotally, bathing or showering confuses your body because instead of increased blood flow to your digestive tract, your body experiences a hyperthermic action caused by the water. In theory, this would slow down or interrupt your digestion, leading to sluggishness.
Foods that are high in protein, fibre, fat, or refined carbohydrates can cause bloating as your body digests them. This puts pressure on your chest, making you more likely to experience cramp and heartburn. If this theory holds, then showering after having fruit, broth, or salad probably wouldn't be so bad.
So, in the case of a cold shower, the chilled water can change the body temperature and constrict blood vessels, which can limit proper blood flow. A hot shower, on the other hand, could lead to increased heart rate and dizziness due to vasodilation and low blood pressure. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid swimming or taking bath after dinner or immediate meal, regardless of the water temperature.
Also Read: Chill Out! 10 Cold Shower Benefits for Health and Recovery After Your Workout
What Is The Best Time To Shower After A Meal?
All experts advise waiting at least half an hour to an hour to take a shower after a meal. This will ensure sufficient blood flow to the stomach and allow enough time for the digestive process to begin, reducing the risk of any discomfort or indigestion. The ideal time to shower depends largely on your personal preferences and lifestyle.
However, many people find that showering in the morning helps them wake up feeling refreshed for the next day. To unwind and relieve the tension of the day, some people would rather take a shower in the evening.
If it works better with your schedule, you might even consider showering before eating. A shower before a meal is usually recommended for digestion. This allows for relaxation and preparation before eating - this promotes better digestion and absorption of nutrients.
If you're worried about disrupting your body's natural digestion, you might want to wait a while before jumping in the tub after eating. Conventional wisdom usually advises 20 minutes after a meal before any immersion in water.
Also Read: 5 Stress Relief Workouts And 7 Ways To Unwind For A Balanced Life
Why Showering After Eating Is Not Ideal?
Below are the reasons why showering after meals is not good:
1. Digestive Disorders
Showering immediately after a meal can disrupt the digestive process. It does this by diverting blood flow from the stomach and intestines to the surface of the skin, which can lead to digestive disorders.
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2. Blood Pressure
A hot shower can temporarily increase blood pressure. Showering right after a meal, when digestion naturally increases blood pressure, is not ideal, especially for individuals with hypertension. ToneOp Care’s BP Care Combo helps manage your blood pressure, cholesterol & weight, prevent heart diseases & improve your cardiac health.
3. Temperature Changes
A sudden change in body temperature, such as a hot shower followed by a meal, can also affect circulation and digestion. That's why it's best to let your body temperature regulate naturally after a meal before jumping into a hot shower.
4. Energy Expenditure
Showering after a meal can disrupt energy expenditure by diverting blood flow away from the digestive system. This shift in circulation can slow down digestion, making it harder for your body to efficiently process food and utilise energy, potentially leading to discomfort and sluggishness.
Also Read: Yoga For Digestive Health: Improve Gut Function And Relieve Discomfort
What Else Should You Avoid Around Your Meals?
Of course, showering and bathing after eating are not the only things that are not so good for digestion. Some of these are more research-based than others.
1. Brushing teeth
It's best to wait about 20 to 30 minutes after eating before brushing your teeth. This is because brushing immediately can harm the enamel, especially if you've eaten acidic foods, making your teeth more sensitive over time.
Also Read: How Many Minutes Should You Brush Your Teeth? Know The Science Behind Brushing And Oral Health
2. Swimming
You should wait at least 30 to 60 minutes after eating before swimming. This allows your body to focus on digesting food without the distraction of swimming, which can cause discomfort or cramps.
3. Exercises
Avoid vigorous exercises after a heavy meal. It's recommended to wait at least 30 to 45 minutes so your body can digest the food properly, preventing issues like cramps or nausea during physical activity.
4. Sleep
That is also up for debate. Lying down immediately after eating may not be good for the lining of the oesophagus. You should wait until your body has had a chance to begin digestion and move food into your intestines before going to bed. This will also help prevent the backflow of stomach acid into the oesophagus and acid reflux.
Also Read: Understanding Gut Health And Skin: 10 Home Remedies To Improve Digestion For Better Skin
Expert’s Advice
To avoid indigestion, you may want to wait 20 minutes to an hour after eating before taking a bath. I would recommend taking a walk after eating to ease digestion. Walking after eating has been shown to have many health benefits, such as lowering blood sugar, promoting healthy weight loss, and boosting heart health. Walking after dinner helps relieve symptoms of bloating, constipation, acid reflux and other digestive problems.
Health Expert
Lavina Chauhan
The Final Say
In conclusion, taking a bath after dinner can disrupt your digestion and may lead to discomfort. It's best to wait at least an hour after eating before enjoying a bath after dinner. This allows your body to focus on digesting the food properly without interruption. Remember, keeping a healthy routine helps your body feel better and function well!
FAQs
1. What is the shower-after-meal myth all about?
The myth suggests that showering right after eating can harm digestion. This is because your body needs energy and blood flow to digest food, and a shower might redirect that blood flow, slowing down the process.
2. Should you bathe in cold water immediately after eating?
No, it is not safe to bathe in cold water immediately after eating. Bathing right after a meal can disrupt digestion by diverting blood flow away from the stomach, potentially causing discomfort and indigestion. It's best to wait at least an hour after eating before taking a bath.
3. Will you get fat if you shower after eating?
No, you won't get fat just from showering after a meal. However, it might cause discomfort or indigestion if done immediately after eating.
4. Is it better to eat dinner before or after a shower?
It’s better to eat dinner before showering. Waiting at least an hour after eating allows your body to focus on digestion without distractions.
5. Is it bad to shower after eating breakfast?
Showering right after breakfast isn't necessarily bad, but it's best to wait a little while. This helps your body digest the food more effectively.
References
- https://www.thehealthsite.com/hindi/diseases-conditions/side-effects-of-taking-bath-after-meal-in-hindi-977861/
- https://www.ekachaihospital.com/en/10-healthy-things-to-remember-before-and-after-you-eat-dinner/
- https://www.vogue.in/content/when-is-the-right-time-to-shower-before-or-after-a-meal-experts-put-the-debate-to-rest
- https://www.vogue.com/article/could-showering-after-a-meal-help-you-digest-better#:~:text=The%20Best%20Time%20to%20Shower,to%20an%20hour%20before%20showering.
- https://www.onlymyhealth.com/should-you-bathe-immediately-after-eating-1687349250
- https://www.healthline.com/health/showering-after-eating#summary
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