Whether on the beach or in the outdoor pool – a luxurious outing is part of the swimming journey for many. “But don’t go into the water when it’s full,” is often a warning. But are you really not allowed to swim if you have eaten previously?
“There is no direct relationship between stomach cramps and swimming,” says Bernd Wolfarth, head of the department of sports medicine at Charité Berlin. So if you ate and then dipped in cold water, you do not need to fear any medical consequences. However, after a large meal, the body is subjected to a double burden: the food that is eaten must digest and at the same time remain on the surface of the water. “Then, of course, you can feel tired and sluggish,” explains Woolfarth. Just because discomfort does not mean it is a health hazard.
However, after a long meal, Wolffarth advises waiting a little before swimming. After all, you have to feel in shape while swimming so that there are no accidents. “You just have to listen to yourself,” says Woolfarth. “If you feel relaxed, you can go swimming with the help of french fries.” (Dpa)