Summertime Topic: How Long Should You Wait After Eating to Go Swimming?

Well, this topic has been widely debated among all types of groups: parents and kids, athletes and coaches, friends, babysitters and charges.

There is a new study that actually lends credence to the old adage that you should wait to swim after you eat. The study does not take a stance on how long you should wait but it highlights data that reveal a high percentage of drowning victims had eaten shortly before swimming. (Major downer, I know.) The authors believe that drowning risk was raised by aspirated stomach contents and diverted blood to the intestine due to digestion.

Check out a summary of the article here: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/231674.php

So the take-home message is to wait awhile after you eat if you're going swimming. Relax, take a nap, read a book, go for a walk on the beach, shop or do whatever it is that you love to do in the summer. In addition, alcohol consumption is linked to drowning risk so you should not drink and swim.


Summer is awesome, people, so be safe!