Is brisk walking before lunch better for fat loss or does a slow walk after dinner keep blood sugar under control? In today's article, we are going to talk about this, which will make it clear to you which time is right for walking...

Walking after a meal vs walking before a meal: We all know how beneficial walking is for health. Walking keeps blood sugar under control, heart health, digestion improves and mood also remains good, but when you walk, before or after eating, can be as important as how far or how fast you walk. This is a question that sounds common, but its answer tells how the speed and time of walking is in harmony with our body. In today's article, we are going to talk about this, which will make it clear to you which time is better for your health for walking...

Benefits of Walking before a Meal 

Walking in the morning is always associated with fast weight loss. Because when you walk on an empty stomach, commonly called 'fasted cardio' , your body can use the fat already stored in your body for energy, which can help you lose weight faster, especially if you do it regularly. That is why morning walks are given importance in the weight loss journey. 

People who walk before meals choose their food more thoughtfully, because walking calms the mind, which reduces the chances of stress eating or overeating. Apart from this, walking before eating can also sharpen mental concentration.

When you're feeling sluggish in the morning, a 10-minute walk outside can increase oxygen supply to the brain and reduce cortisol levels. So taking a walk before you eat can help you avoid that "eat whatever you see" moment.

Benefits of Walking after a Meal

In Ayurveda, walking slowly after meals, especially after dinner, is called "Shatapavali" and is considered very beneficial for your digestion. Modern science also agrees to a large extent about walking after meals. Many recent studies show that walking slowly within 10 to 20 minutes of eating is helpful in balancing blood sugar levels.

Walking after eating is more beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. At the same time, according to a study published in Sports Medicine in 2022, a slow walk of two to five minutes after meals can reduce blood sugar levels more effectively than sitting or standing.

In fact, when we move after eating, our muscles use some of the glucose obtained from our food, which reduces the amount of glucose going into the blood and also reduces the insulin load.

Taking a walk after meals can reduce bloating, heartburn and constipation, and people who suffer from acid reflux should definitely take a slow walk after meals. But people suffering from acid reflux should avoid jogging, as the movement in the stomach can increase the reflux even more. 

For people with type 2 diabetes, a 10-minute walk after each meal can improve glucose control over a 24-hour period. Women with PCOS, who often struggle with insulin resistance, may also benefit. 

A 2023 study found that taking a light walk after meals improved insulin sensitivity and reduced post-meal fatigue. If controlling blood sugar is your top priority, then taking a walk after meals has immediate benefits.

Conclusion

If your goal is better digestion, blood sugar control, then walking after eating will be beneficial for you, but if you are focusing on weight loss and appetite control, then walking before eating has its own benefits.

But despite all this, the best time to go for a walk is the one that you can make regular. Whether you go for a walk before breakfast or after lunch, it is important that you make it a part of your daily routine.

But if you want to adapt, then taking a 10-minute walk before lunch to calm the mind and a 10-minute walk after dinner to calm the stomach may be the most balanced way.

The conclusion that comes out from all these things is that well thought out steps at the right time can improve your physical and mental health. For this, there is no need to sweat for hours in the gym.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides general information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NewsCrab does not claim responsibility for this information.

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