## Bad Habits to Avoid After Dinner
Never Bathe Immediately After Dinner
Bathing right after dinner is a common habit for many Vietnamese, but it’s a silent killer in disguise.
When we bathe, our body temperature rises above normal, causing the blood vessels near the skin to dilate. This results in reduced blood flow to the digestive organs, hindering efficient digestion, food breakdown, and absorption.
For individuals with chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or hypertension, bathing after eating poses an even greater risk of stroke, cerebral infarction, and myocardial infarction.
Exercising After Dinner
Contrary to popular belief, exercising right after dinner does not aid digestion. Intense physical activity diverts blood flow from the digestive organs to the muscles, disrupting digestion and reducing nutrient absorption. It can cause abdominal pain, increase the risk of injuries and strokes, and affect your overall health.
It’s advisable to wait for at least 2-3 hours after dinner before engaging in high-intensity workouts. Light activities like walking can be done an hour after your meal.
Smoking After Dinner
Medical experts assert that one cigarette after a meal is equivalent to smoking ten cigarettes consecutively under normal conditions.
The harmful effects of smoking are far-reaching and underestimated. Post-dinner smoking doubles the impact of nicotine on your health. As your blood works vigorously to absorb nutrients, toxic substances quickly enter your bloodstream, hindering the absorption of essential minerals and vitamins like calcium, vitamin B, and vitamin C.
Smoking after a meal also poses serious cardiovascular risks by obstructing blood flow to the heart and contributing to atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of stroke.
Sleeping Right After Dinner
Feeling sleepy or lying down immediately after dinner is often due to reduced blood flow to the brain, as blood is directed towards the digestive process. While this enhances the transportation and distribution of nutrients throughout the body, it can lead to discomfort and health issues if you sleep too soon after eating.
It is recommended to wait for at least 2-3 hours after dinner before going to bed to ensure proper digestion. Sleeping immediately after a meal interrupts the digestive process, leading to symptoms like acid reflux, indigestion, nausea, and bloating. Research also suggests that regularly sleeping after dinner increases the risk of stroke.