With the arrival of summer, one of the most popular questions is whether or not you can swim in the sea or pool after eating.
Science is cautious because no specific studies have yet been conducted that can give a definitive answer as to whether bathing after lunch can actually be dangerous.
However, it is not wrong to say that contact with cold water can lead to a slowing down of digestion , which in turn causes various more or less serious events, and that therefore it is necessary to maintain a good dose of caution and bathe after eating only by implementing certain precautions.
When there is a risk of congestion
The greatest danger you can run into when swimming after eating is developing congestion , which is nothing more than the consequence of the thermal shock caused by entering cold water which could interfere with digestion , a rather complex process which begins a few minutes after the end of the meal and whose timing is not universal but depends on the types of food ingested.
Although fortunately this is not an event that occurs often, it should not be underestimated because in some cases it can even lead to collapse and death.
Digestion also requires a lot of energy from the body, and the extra blood flow to the stomach and intestines can make it difficult to perform other activities and can even lead to cramps or a general feeling of malaise.
What to eat at the beach or pool
Although there are no official guidelines, the ideal is to wait until you have finished digesting before enjoying a refreshing bath . Fortunately, the waiting times are not always very long.
Digestion is faster and easier if you eat light foods, so although it is not possible to define the ideal meal to eat on the beach or by the pool, it is correct to say that some foods are more recommended and that there are rules that adults and children should follow.
First of all, it is better not to overdo it with the potions but to consume them smaller than usual, spreading them out throughout the day, so as to make the digestive process less demanding. Chewing well and taking small bites also helps to facilitate this process.
As for food types, since summer days tend to be quite hot, it is better to prefer light foods rich in water , which also help you stay properly hydrated, and those rich in mineral salts such as fresh fruit and vegetables which help to replenish those lost through sweat .
Salads and steamed , boiled or grilled fish are also excellent , preferable to meat.
Before bathing, it is better to stay away from very fatty , high-calorie foods such as red meat or foods rich in sugar .
Finally, avoid fried foods , particularly heavy ingredients such as butter or cream and limit the consumption of carbonated and sugary drinks.
Alcohol should also be avoided completely before entering the water because, being rich in sugars , they cause excessive sweating . According to many estimates, moreover, about 70% of deaths by drowning seem to be related to alcohol consumption and the reasons are also linked to the negative effect that alcoholic beverages have on reflexes and attention span. If you indulge in a drink on the beach, before swimming it is better to wait under the umbrella for the effects to have run their course.
What to do before bathing
If you don’t want to wait until digestion is complete, there are some precautions you can take to enjoy the sea or swimming pool safely, to avoid the development of congestion or other problems.
First of all, it is a good idea to evaluate the current weather conditions . If the sea is very rough, it is better to give up and not take unnecessary risks. If it is very hot outside but the water does not reach high temperatures, it is better to wait a few extra minutes because the temperature difference could be too large.
Even bathing in company can be useful in case you feel unwell and need to ask for help.
Since the number one enemy of the post-lunch swim is the cold , getting wet little by little , without rushing into the water, is highly recommended because in this way the body temperature remains as stable as possible, the body gets used to the change and the possibility of thermal shock decreases. When the difference between the body temperature and that of the water is very high, fainting can also occur so it is better not to rush.
Finally, it is useful to evaluate your swimming and psychophysical abilities . If you are not particularly familiar with swimming, it is better not to move too far from the shore of the beach or the edge of the pool and if you do not feel particularly fit, do not enter the water or measure your strength , without overexerting yourself.
