What not to do after eating: four habits that harm your health

Eating is one of the main needs and greatest pleasures in our lives. So it is not surprising that many people want to complement a tasty and satisfying meal with something else, such as a flavored drink or a cigarette. Some people feel sleepy and can't help but do it.

Meanwhile, the YO1 wellness blog claims that there are four habits that, although they give you even more pleasure after a meal, are much more harmful to your health. Therefore, it is recommended to give them up. Or at least stick to the right time intervals.

Sleep

After a tasty and satisfying meal, we often feel like our stomach becomes the center of our body, while our brain literally starts to switch to sleep mode. You don't want to do anything, you don't have any thoughts, you want to lie down and take a little nap. However, this is a bad idea. Sleeping right after a meal is not good for the digestive process, and it also impairs the absorption of nutrients, which increases the risk of weight gain. It's also bad for the heart. Therefore, at least 2-3 hours should pass between meals and sleep, so you can fall asleep easily, digestion will be proper, and you won't have to wake up because of hunger.

Take a shower or bath

That feeling that your stomach is in the center of your body after eating is not just a feeling. The blood flow in the body is actually redirected so that more blood is sent to the digestive organs. They bear the greatest load at this moment and need such support. If you stand in a hot shower at this time, the blood flow will also increase in the skin - no wonder it turns red. And this, again, will disrupt the proper digestion process and may result in bloating and discomfort in the abdomen. And dizziness, or even fainting, because at this point the brain will suffer from a lack of blood. So it's best to wait at least 30 minutes between eating and bathing.

Smoking

Many smokers admit how incredibly pleasant it is to smoke a cigarette in the afternoon. It lifts your mood and increases your sense of satisfaction. However, nicotine has the ability to constrict blood vessels and, again, disrupt the blood supply to the digestive system at the most crucial time. It also negatively affects the absorption of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients from food. The third negative consequence that can occur from smoking after meals is an increase in blood pressure, which is extremely harmful to the cardiovascular system. The best solution here is to quit smoking completely, because, no matter how you slice it, it is one of the most harmful habits. If you haven't managed to give up tobacco yet, then take a break for at least 20 minutes after your meal.

Tea drinking

First of all, it concerns green tea. It is an acidic drink that can cause heartburn in people prone to this condition. Also, the acids contained in tea can disrupt the digestion of proteins. In addition, tannins, which are a component of tea, and coffee, have a bad effect on the absorption of iron, an element that is key to the transfer of oxygen to organs and tissues through the blood. Therefore, those who want to wash down their food are advised to put clean water on the table. And refrain from drinking tea for about an hour before and after meals.