Hey, welcome to Sign Stuff, a production of iHeartRadio. My name is Hoorge Champ, and today on the program, we are tackling a question that has poured cold water on the fund of countless children here in the US and across the world. Do you have to wait thirty minutes after eating before you can go swimming? We've all been there. It's a hot day and you're eager to get back into the cool and inviting pool, but you've just had lunch and some adult is telling you you're supposed to just sit there and do nothing for thirty minutes before you can rejoin your friends in the water. Now, as I'll mentioned in a minute, this is a very personal question for me, and so it was very eager to put this advice to the float test to see if it sinks or swims. We're going to be doing that by talking to a medical doctor and also a physiologist will take us on a deep dive into the topic of digestion and exercise. So put your floaties on, because we are going to the deep end of science to find out do you really have to wait thirty minutes after eating to go swimming? Don't worry if anything happens. I know CPR, which in this case stands for Certified Podcasts, Researching, Enjoying. Okay, so the first thing I did was to try to figure out where this piece of advice about eating and swimming came from, but it seems nobody could figure it out. The earliest mentioned that anyone can find about this is in the Boy Scout Manual from nineteen oh eight. A lot of people don't know this, but the boy Scout movement actually started in England, who was started by a British Army general called Robert Baden Powell, who fought in a bunch of wars in Africa. So when he came back he wrote a book called Scouting for Boys, which, according to the Telegraph newspaper, is one of the top four best selling books of the twentieth century. Apparently, the only books that have sold more copies are the Bible, the Quran, and the Thoughts of Chairman mal Sittung. This book, Scouting for Boys contains advice, of course about scouting, like how to start a campfire or how to deal with the stink bite, but it also has some weird pieces of advice, like the rule that you shouldn't trust men with waxed mustaches. And then in a section called keep yourself Clean, it's a little bit of advice. It says, quote, never bathed in deep water very soon after a meal. It is very likely to cause cramp, which doubles you up and so you get drowned. End quote. Now nobody can tell if this is the actual origin of that advice, but after that it definitely seems to have seeped into the culture. But is it actually true. To get to the bottom of this, I decided to call doctor Matthew Badgett, who is a doctor of internal medicine and pediatric primary care at the Cleveland Clinic. Now, he's spoken about this before on the internet, and he was also a high school competitive swimmer, so I thought he was the perfect person to call. So here's the first part of my chat with doctor Matthew badget All Right, well, thank you doctor badget for joining us today.

Hey, welcome to Sign Stuff, a production of iHeartRadio. My name is Hoorge Champ, and today on the program, we are tackling a question that has poured cold water on the fund of countless children here in the US and across the world. Do you have to wait thirty minutes after eating before you can go swimming? We've all been there. It's a hot day and you're eager to get back into the cool and inviting pool, but you've just had lunch and some adult is telling you you're supposed to just sit there and do nothing for thirty minutes before you can rejoin your friends in the water. Now, as I'll mentioned in a minute, this is a very personal question for me, and so it was very eager to put this advice to the float test to see if it sinks or swims. We're going to be doing that by talking to a medical doctor and also a physiologist will take us on a deep dive into the topic of digestion and exercise. So put your floaties on, because we are going to the deep end of science to find out do you really have to wait thirty minutes after eating to go swimming? Don't worry if anything happens. I know CPR, which in this case stands for Certified Podcasts, Researching, Enjoying. Okay, so the first thing I did was to try to figure out where this piece of advice about eating and swimming came from, but it seems nobody could figure it out. The earliest mentioned that anyone can find about this is in the Boy Scout Manual from nineteen oh eight. A lot of people don't know this, but the boy Scout movement actually started in England, who was started by a British Army general called Robert Baden Powell, who fought in a bunch of wars in Africa. So when he came back he wrote a book called Scouting for Boys, which, according to the Telegraph newspaper, is one of the top four best selling books of the twentieth century. Apparently, the only books that have sold more copies are the Bible, the Quran, and the Thoughts of Chairman mal Sittung. This book, Scouting for Boys contains advice, of course about scouting, like how to start a campfire or how to deal with the stink bite, but it also has some weird pieces of advice, like the rule that you shouldn't trust men with waxed mustaches. And then in a section called keep yourself Clean, it's a little bit of advice. It says, quote, never bathed in deep water very soon after a meal. It is very likely to cause cramp, which doubles you up and so you get drowned. End quote. Now nobody can tell if this is the actual origin of that advice, but after that it definitely seems to have seeped into the culture. But is it actually true. To get to the bottom of this, I decided to call doctor Matthew Badgett, who is a doctor of internal medicine and pediatric primary care at the Cleveland Clinic. Now, he's spoken about this before on the internet, and he was also a high school competitive swimmer, so I thought he was the perfect person to call. So here's the first part of my chat with doctor Matthew badget All Right, well, thank you doctor badget for joining us today.

Yeah, thank you for having me excited to be here.

Yeah, thank you for having me excited to be here.

Okay, so today we're tackling a very important question that a lot of kids are asking and have been asking for decades, and that is can you go swimming after eating? Or do you have to wait thirty minutes, as most parents would say. And I should just tell you this is a bit of a personal question for me. So I grew up in Panama. I was born and raised there, and I spent a lot of time in swimming pools because my favorite aunt would take us swimming, and she's a doctor, and she would always tell us that we had to wait thirty minutes after eating before we could go swimming, and it was the worst part of the day. You know, you're excited, you want to go into the swim pool, but you can. You just have to sit there and be totally bored for thirty minutes. So basically, doctor Badget was my aunt lying to me.

Okay, so today we're tackling a very important question that a lot of kids are asking and have been asking for decades, and that is can you go swimming after eating? Or do you have to wait thirty minutes, as most parents would say. And I should just tell you this is a bit of a personal question for me. So I grew up in Panama. I was born and raised there, and I spent a lot of time in swimming pools because my favorite aunt would take us swimming, and she's a doctor, and she would always tell us that we had to wait thirty minutes after eating before we could go swimming, and it was the worst part of the day. You know, you're excited, you want to go into the swim pool, but you can. You just have to sit there and be totally bored for thirty minutes. So basically, doctor Badget was my aunt lying to me.

I don't think she was lying to you because she believed she was telling the truth. But I do think she's wrong, right, you know, from my own history, I remember when I was at the pool, i'd lie to my mom about when I last.

I don't think she was lying to you because she believed she was telling the truth. But I do think she's wrong, right, you know, from my own history, I remember when I was at the pool, i'd lie to my mom about when I last.

Ate so I could go back, incause I'd have thought of that before.

Ate so I could go back, incause I'd have thought of that before.

Yeah, but you know, this is a long standing thing where it's growing up. This made no sense to me because you know, like, well, you can't eat and then go swimming. But you go to a soccer game and there's like oranges and caprice suns everywhere, and they're like, if you don't eat this orange, you're going to get a cramp. But then they say that if you go swimming and if you do eat, you'll get a cramp. And I'm like, being my like opinionated self at ten, I was like, this is stupid, right, Like this makes no sense because they're telling you some physical activities require eating to prevent cramps, while they're telling you that other physical activities you need to not eat.

Yeah, but you know, this is a long standing thing where it's growing up. This made no sense to me because you know, like, well, you can't eat and then go swimming. But you go to a soccer game and there's like oranges and caprice suns everywhere, and they're like, if you don't eat this orange, you're going to get a cramp. But then they say that if you go swimming and if you do eat, you'll get a cramp. And I'm like, being my like opinionated self at ten, I was like, this is stupid, right, Like this makes no sense because they're telling you some physical activities require eating to prevent cramps, while they're telling you that other physical activities you need to not eat.

To prevent that. Wait, so you're ten years old and you've reasoned this, like you figured this out?

To prevent that. Wait, so you're ten years old and you've reasoned this, like you figured this out?

Yeah, yeah, I don't know. Maybe I always had a strong barometer for hypocrisy, but I always thought this rules really made no sense to me. I remember this is I would have been at the end of high school. But when like Michael Phelps was really big and they really showed what he would eat.

Yeah, yeah, I don't know. Maybe I always had a strong barometer for hypocrisy, but I always thought this rules really made no sense to me. I remember this is I would have been at the end of high school. But when like Michael Phelps was really big and they really showed what he would eat.

Right, like a billion calories, But.

Right, like a billion calories, But.

It wasn't just a billion calories. You know, his pre morning swim meet meal was like eggs, toast and four shakes. Four shakes but not one or two. Know, he had four energy eatings.

It wasn't just a billion calories. You know, his pre morning swim meet meal was like eggs, toast and four shakes. Four shakes but not one or two. Know, he had four energy eatings.

Right, did do you think he waited thirty minutes or do you think he ate those four shakes and jumped into the pool.

Right, did do you think he waited thirty minutes or do you think he ate those four shakes and jumped into the pool.

Well, I mean he probably waited a little bit, but like he had a ob scene him out. But if you ask, like what people are doing before swimmings or what they're doing in before morning practices, I could physically tell a difference if I had two pieces of toast and then went and swam an hour at five thirty six am in high school versus if I didn't eat it, I would be dragging like that workout would definitely feel you know, you.

Well, I mean he probably waited a little bit, but like he had a ob scene him out. But if you ask, like what people are doing before swimmings or what they're doing in before morning practices, I could physically tell a difference if I had two pieces of toast and then went and swam an hour at five thirty six am in high school versus if I didn't eat it, I would be dragging like that workout would definitely feel you know, you.

Would feel the difference.

Would feel the difference.

Yeah, indeed, you know, like other sports, I think this is more commonly understood. It's you go to a five k race nowadays, right, and they're handing out snacks everywhere, right, right, So it's well understood that we need to be doing these we need to be eating. And there's better evidence for running and bicycling because I think this's is easier to control for studies that giving carbohydrates before an exercise improves endurance, improves energy, and prove speed and strength. Now, of course, most people that are going in the pool don't necessarily need optimal physical performance.

Yeah, indeed, you know, like other sports, I think this is more commonly understood. It's you go to a five k race nowadays, right, and they're handing out snacks everywhere, right, right, So it's well understood that we need to be doing these we need to be eating. And there's better evidence for running and bicycling because I think this's is easier to control for studies that giving carbohydrates before an exercise improves endurance, improves energy, and prove speed and strength. Now, of course, most people that are going in the pool don't necessarily need optimal physical performance.

I know, I know, But you know, if you're playing marco polo. Those are high stakes.

I know, I know, But you know, if you're playing marco polo. Those are high stakes.

You know that's true, though, I mean marco polo is more about strategy and holding your breath underwater and other other nuances then.

You know that's true, though, I mean marco polo is more about strategy and holding your breath underwater and other other nuances then.

Right, right, other performance issues.

Right, right, other performance issues.

Yeah, But the point is that we know that for optional physical performance we need some amount of carbohydrates or calories. You know, if you're doing a really long physical activity in the pool, like if you're doing like a couple of mile swim, like, it's probably reasonable to stop after half an hour, take like a goo or a piece of fruit and eat it and then keep swimming if you really want to be physically optimal.

Yeah, But the point is that we know that for optional physical performance we need some amount of carbohydrates or calories. You know, if you're doing a really long physical activity in the pool, like if you're doing like a couple of mile swim, like, it's probably reasonable to stop after half an hour, take like a goo or a piece of fruit and eat it and then keep swimming if you really want to be physically optimal.

In which case you're eating into the exercise.

In which case you're eating into the exercise.

Yeah. If people are doing half marathons, they're taking fluids and carbohydrates during the race. If they're doing marathons, they're doing that, they're doing one hundred mile bike rides. They're doing these things, right And once again, we're telling these kids to eat oranges during the soccer game, right right, because we think it helps their physical performances and prevents cramps, right right, right, So we're already telling the kids to do these things.

Yeah. If people are doing half marathons, they're taking fluids and carbohydrates during the race. If they're doing marathons, they're doing that, they're doing one hundred mile bike rides. They're doing these things, right And once again, we're telling these kids to eat oranges during the soccer game, right right, because we think it helps their physical performances and prevents cramps, right right, right, So we're already telling the kids to do these things.

Uhuh, just not in the pool, Just not in the pool.

Uhuh, just not in the pool, Just not in the pool.

And that that really pissed me off.

And that that really pissed me off.

When I was like, who would you direct this anger at? I guess the adult who was telling you.

When I was like, who would you direct this anger at? I guess the adult who was telling you.

I think I argue with my mom about it once. She wasn't very interested, but she also didn't feel strongly enough to stop me from eating and swimming, So like.

I think I argue with my mom about it once. She wasn't very interested, but she also didn't feel strongly enough to stop me from eating and swimming, So like.

I see, So, doctor Badgett definitely has some strong opinions about this, but his general point is that on the one hand, we're telling kids that they should eat some food before they exercise, like, for example, they should eat some orange slices or drink some juice before they play soccer. And in some sports you actually want to be eating during the exercise, like if you're doing a really long run or really long swim. But at the same time, we seem to be telling kids not to eat anything at all right before going swimming because it might cost cramps. Of course, you're probably thinking, well, maybe swimming is different than playing soccer, and that's what I thought too, So I asked them directly if swimming and eating can be a dangerous combination. This is what he said, but I just want to double check. So in your medical school education as a pediotician, when you go to School for Pediatrics. Yeah, they never mentioned this.

I see, So, doctor Badgett definitely has some strong opinions about this, but his general point is that on the one hand, we're telling kids that they should eat some food before they exercise, like, for example, they should eat some orange slices or drink some juice before they play soccer. And in some sports you actually want to be eating during the exercise, like if you're doing a really long run or really long swim. But at the same time, we seem to be telling kids not to eat anything at all right before going swimming because it might cost cramps. Of course, you're probably thinking, well, maybe swimming is different than playing soccer, and that's what I thought too, So I asked them directly if swimming and eating can be a dangerous combination. This is what he said, but I just want to double check. So in your medical school education as a pediotician, when you go to School for Pediatrics. Yeah, they never mentioned this.

No, I never heard it come up for or against. Right, I was never taught that we need to The number one thing that I got about pools in pediatric training is fences, fences, fences, fences, fences and fences, which is, if you have a pull at your house, always put a fence up to reduce the chance that your child drowns in it. Most of the training, you know it is around, and there's evidence of that, right, putting a fence up reduces depths, so it's recommended.

No, I never heard it come up for or against. Right, I was never taught that we need to The number one thing that I got about pools in pediatric training is fences, fences, fences, fences, fences and fences, which is, if you have a pull at your house, always put a fence up to reduce the chance that your child drowns in it. Most of the training, you know it is around, and there's evidence of that, right, putting a fence up reduces depths, so it's recommended.

But in your years and years of being a pediatrician, and nobody has ever come in or no cases have come through your office of parents saying something out of either kid because they swim too soon after eating.

But in your years and years of being a pediatrician, and nobody has ever come in or no cases have come through your office of parents saying something out of either kid because they swim too soon after eating.

No, And have I told patients that it's okay to eat during swieing. Not often, because it doesn't come up. We have so many things we want to talk about in a limited visit and so many issues. Now. It's actually interesting you bring this up because I was at talking with some residents when I got interviewed for this article a couple of months ago, and a good number of them are for medical grads.

No, And have I told patients that it's okay to eat during swieing. Not often, because it doesn't come up. We have so many things we want to talk about in a limited visit and so many issues. Now. It's actually interesting you bring this up because I was at talking with some residents when I got interviewed for this article a couple of months ago, and a good number of them are for medical grads.

You mean foreign like from another country.

You mean foreign like from another country.

And so the American ones were like, yeah, no, you don't wait to swim, and all the foreign medical grads they're all from Europe or the Middle East, They're like, we don't know this rule.

And so the American ones were like, yeah, no, you don't wait to swim, and all the foreign medical grads they're all from Europe or the Middle East, They're like, we don't know this rule.

They don't even have this rule.

They don't even have this rule.

So so so like how universal is it? Right? Like you know where I couldn't find where culturally got started.

So so so like how universal is it? Right? Like you know where I couldn't find where culturally got started.

Right, Well, it's interesting you said that there's this push for evidence based medicine. Yeah, you would think this is maybe high on the priority list of things to figure out the answer to.

Right, Well, it's interesting you said that there's this push for evidence based medicine. Yeah, you would think this is maybe high on the priority list of things to figure out the answer to.

I mean not really, because it's a I mean it's a it's probably not very harmful, right, Waiting to swim is not harming people. Now, I'm sure you were very upset by it, right, like when you're younger and that you had to wait. It's not you know, I think very rarely are we actually putting people in danger by doing this, because you know, it's a situation where like, yeah, kids might have to not get as much swimming time in, but is that actually harmful? There's so there's a thousand and one.

I mean not really, because it's a I mean it's a it's probably not very harmful, right, Waiting to swim is not harming people. Now, I'm sure you were very upset by it, right, like when you're younger and that you had to wait. It's not you know, I think very rarely are we actually putting people in danger by doing this, because you know, it's a situation where like, yeah, kids might have to not get as much swimming time in, but is that actually harmful? There's so there's a thousand and one.

Issues, right, not harming anyone, and in fact, it's maybe just teaching kids to sit still for thirty.

Issues, right, not harming anyone, and in fact, it's maybe just teaching kids to sit still for thirty.

Minutes which might have a benefit. Right.

Minutes which might have a benefit. Right.

Okay, So to recap my conversation with doctor Badget, medical doctors are not taught at eating before swimming is dangerous, and in fact, in lots of other sports you actually eat while you're doing the exercise. Now, is this based on heart science? Well, like doctor Badget said, this is not a high priority issue for the medical community. But they did manage to find some scientific studies that look at this question. For some reason, in the nineteen sixties, a whole bunch of scientists got really interested in the subject, and so there was a small flurry of experiments that were done, and they all sort of go something like this. The scientists grabbed a bunch of people, usually college students because these were all mostly done at universities, and then they had the subject to a bunch of laps on a swimming pool. In one study, they would have the college student swim two hundred yards freestyle, and another they would swim one hundred yards, and then another they would swim a whole mile. Now, the scientists would also have the swimmers eat a small meal at different times before they went swimming, So some of the swimmers would eat a small meal three hours before they went swimming. Some of the swimmers would eat a meal one and a half hours before swimming, and some of the swimmers would eat a small meal half an hour before going swimming. And then the scientists would see how well the swimmers swam, Did they have the same times, did they report feeling any struggle or nausea or cramps, did any of them drown? And across the board pretty much, they all found the same thing. They found that how much time passes between eating a meal and swimming has no effect on how well the swimmers swam. They all swam at the same speed. Basically, the students who ate a meal half an hour before swimming swam just as well as the students who ate three hours before swimming. And also nobody drowned. In fact, there were no reported cases in the studies of anyone even having cramps. But still it seems like the myth persisted. I mean, I was born way after the nineteen sixties, and my aunt was still giving that advice. So it got to the point where even the Red Cross had to intervene. So in twenty eleven, the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Committee issued a special scientific review on the issue of eating before swimming, which they published in the International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education. It reads, quote this review services a scholarly literature to investigate whether there is any correlation between eating and fatal or non fatal drowning events, and to establish whether it is safe to swim after eating end quote. At the end, they concluded, quote there are no reported cases of eating before swimming costing or contributing to fatal or non fatal drowning in any of the literature search. Currently available information suggests that eating before swimming is not a contributing risk for drowning and can be dismissed as a myth. Food intake restrictions prior to swimming are unnecessary. End quote. That's right, kits everywhere, you can eat whatever you want before going swimming, the American Red Cross says, So, so question answered, or is it there is something that was found in those swimming studies that was not covered in the Red Cross report. So when we come back, we're going to look into that, and also we're going to tackle the general issue of digestion and swimming. What's actually happening to that food you eat? How does it affect your body, you're listening to sign stuff, welcome back to sigence stuff. So to recap. Even the Red Cross has concluded you don't have to wait thirty minutes after eating before you can go swimming. There's no evidence that it leads to any danger. But there is one thing that several of the swimming studies found. They found that the swimmers who went swimming thirty minutes or less reported a significant amount of discomfort and nausea. It was not a good swimming experience for them. And I think that's something that maybe some of us can relate to, which is going swimming after a meal and then feeling like you're going to throw up. So now the question is what's going on there, what is it about swimming and eating that causes that discomfort, and how is it tied to the thirty minute mark? And so I called an expert. Professor. Stephen Ives is an associate professor of Health and Human Physiological Sciences at Skidmore College, and he studies how our bodies respond to exercise and how we adapt to exercise long term. So I told him about my experiences with my aunt, and then I asked him to break it all down for us. So here's my chat with Professor Steven Ives. Thanks so much for joining us here today. What are your thoughts on the question of whether, one sh you'd wait thirty minutes after eating before going swimming.

Okay, So to recap my conversation with doctor Badget, medical doctors are not taught at eating before swimming is dangerous, and in fact, in lots of other sports you actually eat while you're doing the exercise. Now, is this based on heart science? Well, like doctor Badget said, this is not a high priority issue for the medical community. But they did manage to find some scientific studies that look at this question. For some reason, in the nineteen sixties, a whole bunch of scientists got really interested in the subject, and so there was a small flurry of experiments that were done, and they all sort of go something like this. The scientists grabbed a bunch of people, usually college students because these were all mostly done at universities, and then they had the subject to a bunch of laps on a swimming pool. In one study, they would have the college student swim two hundred yards freestyle, and another they would swim one hundred yards, and then another they would swim a whole mile. Now, the scientists would also have the swimmers eat a small meal at different times before they went swimming, So some of the swimmers would eat a small meal three hours before they went swimming. Some of the swimmers would eat a meal one and a half hours before swimming, and some of the swimmers would eat a small meal half an hour before going swimming. And then the scientists would see how well the swimmers swam, Did they have the same times, did they report feeling any struggle or nausea or cramps, did any of them drown? And across the board pretty much, they all found the same thing. They found that how much time passes between eating a meal and swimming has no effect on how well the swimmers swam. They all swam at the same speed. Basically, the students who ate a meal half an hour before swimming swam just as well as the students who ate three hours before swimming. And also nobody drowned. In fact, there were no reported cases in the studies of anyone even having cramps. But still it seems like the myth persisted. I mean, I was born way after the nineteen sixties, and my aunt was still giving that advice. So it got to the point where even the Red Cross had to intervene. So in twenty eleven, the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Committee issued a special scientific review on the issue of eating before swimming, which they published in the International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education. It reads, quote this review services a scholarly literature to investigate whether there is any correlation between eating and fatal or non fatal drowning events, and to establish whether it is safe to swim after eating end quote. At the end, they concluded, quote there are no reported cases of eating before swimming costing or contributing to fatal or non fatal drowning in any of the literature search. Currently available information suggests that eating before swimming is not a contributing risk for drowning and can be dismissed as a myth. Food intake restrictions prior to swimming are unnecessary. End quote. That's right, kits everywhere, you can eat whatever you want before going swimming, the American Red Cross says, So, so question answered, or is it there is something that was found in those swimming studies that was not covered in the Red Cross report. So when we come back, we're going to look into that, and also we're going to tackle the general issue of digestion and swimming. What's actually happening to that food you eat? How does it affect your body, you're listening to sign stuff, welcome back to sigence stuff. So to recap. Even the Red Cross has concluded you don't have to wait thirty minutes after eating before you can go swimming. There's no evidence that it leads to any danger. But there is one thing that several of the swimming studies found. They found that the swimmers who went swimming thirty minutes or less reported a significant amount of discomfort and nausea. It was not a good swimming experience for them. And I think that's something that maybe some of us can relate to, which is going swimming after a meal and then feeling like you're going to throw up. So now the question is what's going on there, what is it about swimming and eating that causes that discomfort, and how is it tied to the thirty minute mark? And so I called an expert. Professor. Stephen Ives is an associate professor of Health and Human Physiological Sciences at Skidmore College, and he studies how our bodies respond to exercise and how we adapt to exercise long term. So I told him about my experiences with my aunt, and then I asked him to break it all down for us. So here's my chat with Professor Steven Ives. Thanks so much for joining us here today. What are your thoughts on the question of whether, one sh you'd wait thirty minutes after eating before going swimming.

Yeah, that's a great question, and I think your scenario is one we can all relate to. I also rope roundwater pools and lakes, etc. And I had that same blore given to me as well. And now it's the same thing, but with sunscreen. You gotta put your sun screen on, then you got to wait until that track. So we've traded one for the other.

Yeah, that's a great question, and I think your scenario is one we can all relate to. I also rope roundwater pools and lakes, etc. And I had that same blore given to me as well. And now it's the same thing, but with sunscreen. You gotta put your sun screen on, then you got to wait until that track. So we've traded one for the other.

I suppose in thirty years our kid's going to be complaining about us and that advice perhaps perhaps.

I suppose in thirty years our kid's going to be complaining about us and that advice perhaps perhaps.

So the interesting thing about this is, you know, when you look into it, there's no real evidence to suggest that there's any real threat or danger. So I don't think there's a cute risk there. That said, we can talk a little bit more about is it wise to eat before swimming?

So the interesting thing about this is, you know, when you look into it, there's no real evidence to suggest that there's any real threat or danger. So I don't think there's a cute risk there. That said, we can talk a little bit more about is it wise to eat before swimming?

I see, so it's not a safety issue, but it does maybe affect your swimming experience.

I see, so it's not a safety issue, but it does maybe affect your swimming experience.

Yeah, I think it's more of a comfort issue or a discomfort issue that we're more likely to encounter than a safety issue. So there's two main categories that I would talk about with regards to this question. That is the process of digestion and the swimming. So we can use a technique clinically that's called gastric emptying studies, and that allows us to assess how long it takes to begin the process of digestion in the stomach for that food to leave the stomach.

Yeah, I think it's more of a comfort issue or a discomfort issue that we're more likely to encounter than a safety issue. So there's two main categories that I would talk about with regards to this question. That is the process of digestion and the swimming. So we can use a technique clinically that's called gastric emptying studies, and that allows us to assess how long it takes to begin the process of digestion in the stomach for that food to leave the stomach.

Maybe steak is a step back. So when I eat something I quew, it goes down my throat lands in my stomach. What happens to that food afterwards.

Maybe steak is a step back. So when I eat something I quew, it goes down my throat lands in my stomach. What happens to that food afterwards.

Well, it actually starts before that. So you as soon as you see that food or you smell that food, the whole process of digestion starts right So you smell the food, you see the food, you begin to salivate, and that's really the first step in the digestive process. The chewing helps start to break down the food, but there's also enzymes in saliva that help to start the digestive process and breaking down our starches, our larger carbohydrate molecules. That goes down the esophagus and that food gets sensed by the esophagus and that triggers this rhythmic muscle contraction. That moves the food down into the stomach, and the stomach actually begins to pulverize it a little bit. We don't think of the stomach as doing any mechanical digestion, but it.

Well, it actually starts before that. So you as soon as you see that food or you smell that food, the whole process of digestion starts right So you smell the food, you see the food, you begin to salivate, and that's really the first step in the digestive process. The chewing helps start to break down the food, but there's also enzymes in saliva that help to start the digestive process and breaking down our starches, our larger carbohydrate molecules. That goes down the esophagus and that food gets sensed by the esophagus and that triggers this rhythmic muscle contraction. That moves the food down into the stomach, and the stomach actually begins to pulverize it a little bit. We don't think of the stomach as doing any mechanical digestion, but it.

Does what My stomach will actually start contracting and massaging the food.

Does what My stomach will actually start contracting and massaging the food.

It is a muscular organ, so it'll start to sort of grind that food down a bit more. And interestingly enough, it starts to analyze it, right. So you know, we think about our dishwashers as being smart detecting how much dirt is on your dishes. The stomach is a little bit the same. Starts to detect the composition of the meal and how big the meal is. The meal will stretch the stomach and depending on the stretch, that tells you about the size of the meal. But it's also looking at the composition and then that's going to dictate some of the digestive response.

It is a muscular organ, so it'll start to sort of grind that food down a bit more. And interestingly enough, it starts to analyze it, right. So you know, we think about our dishwashers as being smart detecting how much dirt is on your dishes. The stomach is a little bit the same. Starts to detect the composition of the meal and how big the meal is. The meal will stretch the stomach and depending on the stretch, that tells you about the size of the meal. But it's also looking at the composition and then that's going to dictate some of the digestive response.

How does it analyze it? Does it have like sensors?

How does it analyze it? Does it have like sensors?

Yep. Wherever you have a response, you have to have a sensor and an integrator, right, So there's something that's sensing the composition and the meal, and there's various so it's analyzing the content of the meal, and then that information gets integrated by the nervous system and then we generate a response which will help dictate the hormonal response, the enzyme response, the stomach acid response.

Yep. Wherever you have a response, you have to have a sensor and an integrator, right, So there's something that's sensing the composition and the meal, and there's various so it's analyzing the content of the meal, and then that information gets integrated by the nervous system and then we generate a response which will help dictate the hormonal response, the enzyme response, the stomach acid response.

Whoa. So then the food lands in there and it sits in the stomach for a while, or it depends on what's in it.

Whoa. So then the food lands in there and it sits in the stomach for a while, or it depends on what's in it.

It depends, That's what I'm saying it. So the size of the meal matters. The contents of the meal matters. So the larger the meal, it could alter the rate of digestion. The more calorie dense it is, the longer it's going to take to digest that Or if it has more fiber, that could take longer to digest that meal. So then after it leaves the stomach, it enters into the small intestine.

It depends, That's what I'm saying it. So the size of the meal matters. The contents of the meal matters. So the larger the meal, it could alter the rate of digestion. The more calorie dense it is, the longer it's going to take to digest that Or if it has more fiber, that could take longer to digest that meal. So then after it leaves the stomach, it enters into the small intestine.

Oh, is there like a little door to the lower testine that opens little by little or does it lead the food into it or how does it move the food?

Oh, is there like a little door to the lower testine that opens little by little or does it lead the food into it or how does it move the food?

Again, it depends. If it's more liquid, it's a more fluid process, you know, no pun intented it's it's going to be more of a streaming type of effect. But there is a gatekeeper at the top and bottom of the stomach. Right, So we have these what we call sphincters, these muscular parts that help close off or allow both the entrance to the stomach and the exits to the stomach to open and close. And we hope those work well as they're supposed to. And so when people talk about indigestion, that's the upper sphincter of the stomach perhaps being dysfunctional and stomach acid can leak back up into the esophagus and cause that pain in the chest.

Again, it depends. If it's more liquid, it's a more fluid process, you know, no pun intented it's it's going to be more of a streaming type of effect. But there is a gatekeeper at the top and bottom of the stomach. Right, So we have these what we call sphincters, these muscular parts that help close off or allow both the entrance to the stomach and the exits to the stomach to open and close. And we hope those work well as they're supposed to. And so when people talk about indigestion, that's the upper sphincter of the stomach perhaps being dysfunctional and stomach acid can leak back up into the esophagus and cause that pain in the chest.

Okay, the food sits in my stomach, at some point it gets through to the intestine. How fast is that process?

Okay, the food sits in my stomach, at some point it gets through to the intestine. How fast is that process?

So we can use a technique clinically that's called gastric emptying studies, and that allows us to assess how long it takes to begin the process of digestion in the stomach for that food to leave the stomach. They use a meal, but the meal I think is usually egg whites and barium chloride or something like that, so it's a radio labeled substance, so it's not a typical meal.

So we can use a technique clinically that's called gastric emptying studies, and that allows us to assess how long it takes to begin the process of digestion in the stomach for that food to leave the stomach. They use a meal, but the meal I think is usually egg whites and barium chloride or something like that, so it's a radio labeled substance, so it's not a typical meal.

Wait, radio labeled like it's radioactive.

Wait, radio labeled like it's radioactive.

Even with that standardized meal, seventy percent is still in the stomach after thirty minutes.

Even with that standardized meal, seventy percent is still in the stomach after thirty minutes.

So meaning that after thirty minutes seventy percent of the food you eat is still in your stomach.

So meaning that after thirty minutes seventy percent of the food you eat is still in your stomach.

From a gastric emptying or food exiting the stomach as an indicator of digestion. You know, we still have a long way to go.

From a gastric emptying or food exiting the stomach as an indicator of digestion. You know, we still have a long way to go.

So there is something to the thirty minute mark.

So there is something to the thirty minute mark.

Perhaps, but there's still a lot of food to be digested. So I guess that would be an argument against thirty minutes. I ice right, Well, depending on whether you're an optimist or a pestimist, either you're you know, twenty five percent there or twenty five percent left to go. Yeah, there you go.

Perhaps, but there's still a lot of food to be digested. So I guess that would be an argument against thirty minutes. I ice right, Well, depending on whether you're an optimist or a pestimist, either you're you know, twenty five percent there or twenty five percent left to go. Yeah, there you go.

Okay, so then it goes in my intestine and then and then what happened?

Okay, so then it goes in my intestine and then and then what happened?

So in the small intestine, that's where at least the beginning part of the small intestine, we have bile that's introduced, and that's where we're starting to break down the fats into smaller molecules so then we can chop them up a little bit more for energy as well. So the small intestine is mostly the further breakdown of our macro nutrients and starting to extract those nutrients that is, the fats, the carbohydrates, the proteins, but also the vitamins, the minerals, et cetera. So then after that we transition into the large intestine. There is some extraction of water and nutrients.

So in the small intestine, that's where at least the beginning part of the small intestine, we have bile that's introduced, and that's where we're starting to break down the fats into smaller molecules so then we can chop them up a little bit more for energy as well. So the small intestine is mostly the further breakdown of our macro nutrients and starting to extract those nutrients that is, the fats, the carbohydrates, the proteins, but also the vitamins, the minerals, et cetera. So then after that we transition into the large intestine. There is some extraction of water and nutrients.

And then it all turns to well, i'd want to say it P word. I was gonna say the S word, but uh oh yeah, maybe we'll stick with the P word. So that's a broad overview of digestion. And what's kind of interesting there is the idea that your stomach actually senses what you eat and then it adjusts how it's going to digest that food and how long it's going to take. And then when it comes to swimming, it turns out that your digestion also depends on the exercise that you're doing, but not in a way that I think most of us understand it. So I asked professor iis how swimming affects your digestion? Here's what he said, all right, So that's what happens to your food when you eat it. That's super interesting. And you said the other part of it was the exercise, the swimming.

And then it all turns to well, i'd want to say it P word. I was gonna say the S word, but uh oh yeah, maybe we'll stick with the P word. So that's a broad overview of digestion. And what's kind of interesting there is the idea that your stomach actually senses what you eat and then it adjusts how it's going to digest that food and how long it's going to take. And then when it comes to swimming, it turns out that your digestion also depends on the exercise that you're doing, but not in a way that I think most of us understand it. So I asked professor iis how swimming affects your digestion? Here's what he said, all right, So that's what happens to your food when you eat it. That's super interesting. And you said the other part of it was the exercise, the swimming.

Yeah, so then that's the second part, right, So not all swimming or exercises created equal, and perhaps that's obvious, but you know, jumping off the diving board and doing the doggy paddle to the ladder to go out and do your next jump. That's one thing. But getting ready to do a couple thousand yards meters in a pool or sprint interval set for some hardcore swim training, those are very different things. So interestingly, when we think about activity, we could think about as light intensity, moderate intensity, and high intensity, and the light intensity actually can aid in digestion and likely speeds up gastric emptying.

Yeah, so then that's the second part, right, So not all swimming or exercises created equal, and perhaps that's obvious, but you know, jumping off the diving board and doing the doggy paddle to the ladder to go out and do your next jump. That's one thing. But getting ready to do a couple thousand yards meters in a pool or sprint interval set for some hardcore swim training, those are very different things. So interestingly, when we think about activity, we could think about as light intensity, moderate intensity, and high intensity, and the light intensity actually can aid in digestion and likely speeds up gastric emptying.

Is it like light exercise, like going for a walk exactly?

Is it like light exercise, like going for a walk exactly?

And that's actually been in the press a lot lately, that after dinner walk has been a popular thing of late. And it's not a new thing, that's for sure, but that's been popularized because it can aid in digestion, give you a better feeling it particularly if you overeat, because it's going to facilitate that gastric emptying.

And that's actually been in the press a lot lately, that after dinner walk has been a popular thing of late. And it's not a new thing, that's for sure, but that's been popularized because it can aid in digestion, give you a better feeling it particularly if you overeat, because it's going to facilitate that gastric emptying.

Yeah, I've been hearing that a lot. So what's going on there? Why is going for a walk helping you digest?

Yeah, I've been hearing that a lot. So what's going on there? Why is going for a walk helping you digest?

Well, that one's hard to figure out. I think we're still trying to figure that out. Because the way we tip do these studies is clinically. They would do the barium studies and so then you're doing lots of imaging. So I think it would be almost impossible to do those studies while exercising, so you can do it before and see what happens at the end of the day. Being able to exercise and move is a fight or flight, right, So light physical activity is likely to help us maintain an ability to fight or flight. It's going to aid in digestion, facilitate the mobilization of the nutrients that are being digested.

Well, that one's hard to figure out. I think we're still trying to figure that out. Because the way we tip do these studies is clinically. They would do the barium studies and so then you're doing lots of imaging. So I think it would be almost impossible to do those studies while exercising, so you can do it before and see what happens at the end of the day. Being able to exercise and move is a fight or flight, right, So light physical activity is likely to help us maintain an ability to fight or flight. It's going to aid in digestion, facilitate the mobilization of the nutrients that are being digested.

Meaning your body is trying to keep itself ready in case it needs to run from a line or fight a hyena.

Meaning your body is trying to keep itself ready in case it needs to run from a line or fight a hyena.

Yeah, it probably comes down to blood flow, which we'll have to come back to that in a moment. But okay, let's contrast that light physical activity with a high intensity. So if we think about you know, maximal sprints down the pool, or thinking about being in the ocean or a surfer paddling hard out to that wave, that's a very different situation in the sense that we need to think about the blood flow that's going around the body and how it gets distributed. So at rest, we think about cardiac output, that is, the blood that's pumped out by the heart per minute, and the relative percentages that is distributed across all your organs and the tissues. It's pretty fair. Let's just say that. So your brain's getting what it's needed, the heart's getting what it needs, the muscles are getting some, the gut is getting what it needs. Maybe as much as twenty five percent of the blood that's pumped out by the heart per minute could be going to the.

Yeah, it probably comes down to blood flow, which we'll have to come back to that in a moment. But okay, let's contrast that light physical activity with a high intensity. So if we think about you know, maximal sprints down the pool, or thinking about being in the ocean or a surfer paddling hard out to that wave, that's a very different situation in the sense that we need to think about the blood flow that's going around the body and how it gets distributed. So at rest, we think about cardiac output, that is, the blood that's pumped out by the heart per minute, and the relative percentages that is distributed across all your organs and the tissues. It's pretty fair. Let's just say that. So your brain's getting what it's needed, the heart's getting what it needs, the muscles are getting some, the gut is getting what it needs. Maybe as much as twenty five percent of the blood that's pumped out by the heart per minute could be going to the.

Gut for digestion, I think.

Gut for digestion, I think.

But when we start exercising, our cardiac output, or the blood that's pumped out by the heart per minute, you can quintuple, right, So we're going from maybe five leaders per minute that's leaving the heart to twenty five leaders per minute during exercise, and that'd be during a sort of high intensity exercise.

But when we start exercising, our cardiac output, or the blood that's pumped out by the heart per minute, you can quintuple, right, So we're going from maybe five leaders per minute that's leaving the heart to twenty five leaders per minute during exercise, and that'd be during a sort of high intensity exercise.

I see, this is your heart just pumping faster, so it's putting through more blood.

I see, this is your heart just pumping faster, so it's putting through more blood.

Yeah, it's squeezing harder, so per beat, it's pushing more blood out, and it's beating more times per minute. So you get more bang for your buck, and you get a lot of blood leaving the heart. Permitut it. But then the percentage changes too. So the skeletal muscle, all the muscles that produce the swimming movement, walking, movement, et cetera. There's a high demand. The muscles want blood flow, they want the nutrients that you've eaten recently. They could also be coming from the liver. There's a high demand for blood flow, for the nutrients, for the oxygen to support energy production, so the muscles can keep doing their thing and contracting. That can come at a cost of some of the other organs. So on a percentage basis, the gut goes from getting maybe twenty five percent of the blood that's pumped out by the heart per minute to maybe a couple percent. It gets cut dramatically.

Yeah, it's squeezing harder, so per beat, it's pushing more blood out, and it's beating more times per minute. So you get more bang for your buck, and you get a lot of blood leaving the heart. Permitut it. But then the percentage changes too. So the skeletal muscle, all the muscles that produce the swimming movement, walking, movement, et cetera. There's a high demand. The muscles want blood flow, they want the nutrients that you've eaten recently. They could also be coming from the liver. There's a high demand for blood flow, for the nutrients, for the oxygen to support energy production, so the muscles can keep doing their thing and contracting. That can come at a cost of some of the other organs. So on a percentage basis, the gut goes from getting maybe twenty five percent of the blood that's pumped out by the heart per minute to maybe a couple percent. It gets cut dramatically.

Well sage are absolutely like it's getting less or just less of the blood.

Well sage are absolutely like it's getting less or just less of the blood.

It's getting less of the pie. It's getting less of the pie.

It's getting less of the pie. It's getting less of the pie.

When we come back, we'll talk about how all of these shenanigans with your digestive system and your muscles, how that affects your swimming experience and ability to stay afloat. We'll be right back, and we're back.

When we come back, we'll talk about how all of these shenanigans with your digestive system and your muscles, how that affects your swimming experience and ability to stay afloat. We'll be right back, and we're back.

So we've known that for many years, and that was part of the impetus or the rationale for the waiting of thirty minutes, is you ate, your gut needs blood flow. Your muscles may not get enough blood supply while you're swimming. That could be catastrophic. If you can't support the swimming motion then you're going to drop or somehow. That was causing a muscle cramp. But interestingly, on an absolute basis, the amount of blood flow going to the gut actually increases because the cardiac out with the total increase, but percentage wise it went way down.

So we've known that for many years, and that was part of the impetus or the rationale for the waiting of thirty minutes, is you ate, your gut needs blood flow. Your muscles may not get enough blood supply while you're swimming. That could be catastrophic. If you can't support the swimming motion then you're going to drop or somehow. That was causing a muscle cramp. But interestingly, on an absolute basis, the amount of blood flow going to the gut actually increases because the cardiac out with the total increase, but percentage wise it went way down.

What does that mean then? Does that mean that your muscles are getting less blood if you're trying to digest something at the same time.

What does that mean then? Does that mean that your muscles are getting less blood if you're trying to digest something at the same time.

The muscles, again, they're a hungry beast. They will steal rub and sheet from everybody else, which is a survival mechanism.

The muscles, again, they're a hungry beast. They will steal rub and sheet from everybody else, which is a survival mechanism.

Right, that's the most important thing at the moment.

Right, that's the most important thing at the moment.

The fight or flight. You got to fight off that lion or run away from it, and so your muscles have evolved to be able to steal blood to support that activity. Yeah, it's an interesting thing. So even during exercising in the heat, your muscles are so profound in their demand for blood they will steal it from the skin. And when you're exercising in the heat, that can predispose you to heat related illness or heat stroke. Whoamuscle doesn't care, it's just you want to exercise, you want to keep running at a certain speed. It'll take the blood from somewhere else, just to give an example. So it'll steal from the skin, and it'll steal from the gut, and it's all trying to produce that exercise or that physical activity.

The fight or flight. You got to fight off that lion or run away from it, and so your muscles have evolved to be able to steal blood to support that activity. Yeah, it's an interesting thing. So even during exercising in the heat, your muscles are so profound in their demand for blood they will steal it from the skin. And when you're exercising in the heat, that can predispose you to heat related illness or heat stroke. Whoamuscle doesn't care, it's just you want to exercise, you want to keep running at a certain speed. It'll take the blood from somewhere else, just to give an example. So it'll steal from the skin, and it'll steal from the gut, and it's all trying to produce that exercise or that physical activity.

Okay, I think you're telling me that we don't have to worry about your muscles not getting enough nutrients just because you just ate before going swimming.

Okay, I think you're telling me that we don't have to worry about your muscles not getting enough nutrients just because you just ate before going swimming.

The muscles are going to get what they need no matter what. So your muscles aren't. They're not magically not going to get enough blood. We know that that's a fallacy at this point, but there's a competition a little bit between blood going to the gut and the muscle. The muscle's going to win. And so if you just ate a big meal that is very calorically dense, the has a lot of fat in it, that's going to be uncomfortable because that food is going to tend to sit in the stomach and the digestive process is overall going to be slower. If you've ever atened and tried to go for a run, a lot of people know that feeling. It's pretty uncomfortable. Swimming can be the same. And interestingly, if we think about running versus swimming, position can also influence gastric emptying. So if you're sitting or you're standing, our gastric emptying rate is higher than when we're lying down. So swimming, of course, we do in what we call prone or supine position, laying down basically uh huh exactly, either on our stomach or our back, and that actually slows down gastric emptying.

The muscles are going to get what they need no matter what. So your muscles aren't. They're not magically not going to get enough blood. We know that that's a fallacy at this point, but there's a competition a little bit between blood going to the gut and the muscle. The muscle's going to win. And so if you just ate a big meal that is very calorically dense, the has a lot of fat in it, that's going to be uncomfortable because that food is going to tend to sit in the stomach and the digestive process is overall going to be slower. If you've ever atened and tried to go for a run, a lot of people know that feeling. It's pretty uncomfortable. Swimming can be the same. And interestingly, if we think about running versus swimming, position can also influence gastric emptying. So if you're sitting or you're standing, our gastric emptying rate is higher than when we're lying down. So swimming, of course, we do in what we call prone or supine position, laying down basically uh huh exactly, either on our stomach or our back, and that actually slows down gastric emptying.

Oh, because you don't have gravity pulling the food towards the hole at the bottom of the stomach. Probably, So does it slow down? Is it partly because the muscles are pulling all of the blood that it slows indigestion or is it just because it knows it needs to sit in your stomach longer?

Oh, because you don't have gravity pulling the food towards the hole at the bottom of the stomach. Probably, So does it slow down? Is it partly because the muscles are pulling all of the blood that it slows indigestion or is it just because it knows it needs to sit in your stomach longer?

Yeah, I mean in terms of the swimming question, there's a couple of things going on. Is you know, if you eat a large meal, that's a greater challenge for your digestives system. But that would be true of any exercise. I think swimming interestingly has that position component, which could make the situation worse. Another factor to consider is the temperature. When are we typically.

Yeah, I mean in terms of the swimming question, there's a couple of things going on. Is you know, if you eat a large meal, that's a greater challenge for your digestives system. But that would be true of any exercise. I think swimming interestingly has that position component, which could make the situation worse. Another factor to consider is the temperature. When are we typically.

Swimming summer, I guess.

Swimming summer, I guess.

Yeah, it's in Panama, where it's warm most.

Yeah, it's in Panama, where it's warm most.

Of the summer all year round. Yeah, but when it's warm out.

Of the summer all year round. Yeah, but when it's warm out.

But when it's warm out there can also be a greater challenge because we need to thermo regulate so the skin. Taking it back to blood flow, the skin needs greater blood flow to be able to support thermal regulation. Make sure we're not getting too hot. You get some sweat production going on, you get vase dilation of the skin, so our skin appears a little bit more flushed. That's all trying to get rid of heat, but it's due to increased blood flow to the skin. Again, then we're thinking about a competition for blood flow. So blood needs to go to the skin, it needs to go to the muscle, and it needs to go to the digestive system. If we're thinking about eating before swimming in a warm environment.

But when it's warm out there can also be a greater challenge because we need to thermo regulate so the skin. Taking it back to blood flow, the skin needs greater blood flow to be able to support thermal regulation. Make sure we're not getting too hot. You get some sweat production going on, you get vase dilation of the skin, so our skin appears a little bit more flushed. That's all trying to get rid of heat, but it's due to increased blood flow to the skin. Again, then we're thinking about a competition for blood flow. So blood needs to go to the skin, it needs to go to the muscle, and it needs to go to the digestive system. If we're thinking about eating before swimming in a warm environment.

Are you saying that the digestive system basically loses.

Are you saying that the digestive system basically loses.

Kind of yes, it's going to take third place to the skin, certainly to the muscle.

Kind of yes, it's going to take third place to the skin, certainly to the muscle.

So it's kind of opposite of the lore. Right, The lore was that the stomach would suck blood flow from your muscles. But it's the opposite. It's going to lose and therefore it's going to take longer to digest and even more because you're laying down when you're assuming, and that's going to cause you discomfort.

So it's kind of opposite of the lore. Right, The lore was that the stomach would suck blood flow from your muscles. But it's the opposite. It's going to lose and therefore it's going to take longer to digest and even more because you're laying down when you're assuming, and that's going to cause you discomfort.

That's really I think this story. It's a comfort or discomfort issue.

That's really I think this story. It's a comfort or discomfort issue.

I see, And where does a discomfort come from? Why doesn't your body like having food around belong?

I see, And where does a discomfort come from? Why doesn't your body like having food around belong?

That's a that's a good question. It could be the distension of the stomach. Right, so use a large meal. Oh I feel, I feel really full. That's not a comfortable feeling. It's probably the mechanical stension and the sensory neurons are detecting that and letting you know, hey, you're really full, don't eat more, right, So that's that's part of it is, is trying to regulate energy intake.

That's a that's a good question. It could be the distension of the stomach. Right, so use a large meal. Oh I feel, I feel really full. That's not a comfortable feeling. It's probably the mechanical stension and the sensory neurons are detecting that and letting you know, hey, you're really full, don't eat more, right, So that's that's part of it is, is trying to regulate energy intake.

Like you had a full meal, whoa, whoa, you know, don't need anymore.

Like you had a full meal, whoa, whoa, you know, don't need anymore.

That allows time for your digestive system to interpret the meal and go to the brain and say, slow down, you're starting to get full. So it does take time those signals to happen.

That allows time for your digestive system to interpret the meal and go to the brain and say, slow down, you're starting to get full. So it does take time those signals to happen.

Did discomfort is a signal that your stomach's trying to tell your brain, hey, stop eating. But I wonder if it's also trying to tell you to not exercise because it knows that your stomach needs the blood flow.

Did discomfort is a signal that your stomach's trying to tell your brain, hey, stop eating. But I wonder if it's also trying to tell you to not exercise because it knows that your stomach needs the blood flow.

Right, What does this all orchestrator are controlled by is the autonomic nervous system. Always tell my students autonomic is automatic. So it's the nervous system that is dealing with controlling our internal environment. So when we think about fight or flight or rest and digest. So I think you're right. I think that makes intuitive sense that some of that signal is rest and digests. Let's process this meal, Let's get the nutrients from it so that way we can do the next thing. There's no need to go out and hunt and gather, so just relax.

Right, What does this all orchestrator are controlled by is the autonomic nervous system. Always tell my students autonomic is automatic. So it's the nervous system that is dealing with controlling our internal environment. So when we think about fight or flight or rest and digest. So I think you're right. I think that makes intuitive sense that some of that signal is rest and digests. Let's process this meal, Let's get the nutrients from it so that way we can do the next thing. There's no need to go out and hunt and gather, so just relax.

What about cramps? I know crams was sort of in that Boyscout report, like if you eat it before swimming, you might get cramps and then you'll drown. What causes cramps.

What about cramps? I know crams was sort of in that Boyscout report, like if you eat it before swimming, you might get cramps and then you'll drown. What causes cramps.

Believe it or not, there's things that we still don't know the answer to, we don't have the final answer to, or we're still trying to better understand. So muscle cramps, those are very likely the result of two things, one a water electrolyte imbalance and two neural dysregulation. So obviously our body has a significant portion that is water, right, something like seventy percent of our body is made up of water. We also have electrolytes. These are basically salts, and when there is not good harmony between the amount of water that we have in the amount of electrolytes that we have, they can create very serious problems. But that wouldn't be recency to a meal. That would be too much time from a meal with some electrolytes.

Believe it or not, there's things that we still don't know the answer to, we don't have the final answer to, or we're still trying to better understand. So muscle cramps, those are very likely the result of two things, one a water electrolyte imbalance and two neural dysregulation. So obviously our body has a significant portion that is water, right, something like seventy percent of our body is made up of water. We also have electrolytes. These are basically salts, and when there is not good harmony between the amount of water that we have in the amount of electrolytes that we have, they can create very serious problems. But that wouldn't be recency to a meal. That would be too much time from a meal with some electrolytes.

Oh, because when you eat, you're bringing in those electrolytes that you need, and if you haven't eaten in a while, you're gonna your body's going to run out of them.

Oh, because when you eat, you're bringing in those electrolytes that you need, and if you haven't eaten in a while, you're gonna your body's going to run out of them.

Exactly. That's sort of our number one hypothesis, along with something going on with a neuro muscular system.

Exactly. That's sort of our number one hypothesis, along with something going on with a neuro muscular system.

All right, So it sounds like you don't want to eat too close to swimming, but you do want to eat something beforehand at some point. Interesting. All right, So then I guess the final question, Steve is was my aunt lying to me.

All right, So it sounds like you don't want to eat too close to swimming, but you do want to eat something beforehand at some point. Interesting. All right, So then I guess the final question, Steve is was my aunt lying to me.

Yes, Oh, you should thank her for taking your swimming every day. Yeah, it's an interesting question. But at the end of the day, I think, as we've hit on a couple of times, it's not really a safety issue. I would say under nutrition is probably more of a safety issue. It's more of a comfort issue.

Yes, Oh, you should thank her for taking your swimming every day. Yeah, it's an interesting question. But at the end of the day, I think, as we've hit on a couple of times, it's not really a safety issue. I would say under nutrition is probably more of a safety issue. It's more of a comfort issue.

I see. Maybe that's why my aunt was really trying to help me avoid was the discomfort?

I see. Maybe that's why my aunt was really trying to help me avoid was the discomfort?

Probably not.

Probably not.

Or just not me throwing up from the pool. Well, there you have it. The answer to the question is you don't have to wait thirty minutes after eating before you can go swimming, but you probably should. Thanks for joining us, you've been listening to Science Stuff. The production of iHeartRadio written and produced by me Or hitch Ham, executive producer Jerry Rowland, an audio engineer and mixer Casey Peckram. You can follow me on social media to search for PhD comics and the name of your favorite platform. Be sure to subscribe to Sign Stuff on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, and please tell your friends we'll be back next Wednesday with another episode. Okay, Well, what if your niece or nephew orview if you have do you have kids? Yeah? Yeah? Or let's say, like what if your kids had two cheeseburgers and then they wanted to jump into the pool. Would you be like, yes, go for it, or like maybe have a seat for a second.

Or just not me throwing up from the pool. Well, there you have it. The answer to the question is you don't have to wait thirty minutes after eating before you can go swimming, but you probably should. Thanks for joining us, you've been listening to Science Stuff. The production of iHeartRadio written and produced by me Or hitch Ham, executive producer Jerry Rowland, an audio engineer and mixer Casey Peckram. You can follow me on social media to search for PhD comics and the name of your favorite platform. Be sure to subscribe to Sign Stuff on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, and please tell your friends we'll be back next Wednesday with another episode. Okay, Well, what if your niece or nephew orview if you have do you have kids? Yeah? Yeah? Or let's say, like what if your kids had two cheeseburgers and then they wanted to jump into the pool. Would you be like, yes, go for it, or like maybe have a seat for a second.

So first of all, my said two and a half. So our policies we do not feed him before going into the pool because we do not want him pooping in the pool because he is not potty trade, completely different conversation. It's a different strategy we're approaching in that situation. We feed him unch, he goes down for nap time, we wake up, we change his diaper, and we take him to the pool.

So first of all, my said two and a half. So our policies we do not feed him before going into the pool because we do not want him pooping in the pool because he is not potty trade, completely different conversation. It's a different strategy we're approaching in that situation. We feed him unch, he goes down for nap time, we wake up, we change his diaper, and we take him to the pool.

I see it's more important to time than diaper change.

I see it's more important to time than diaper change.

But very different. Yeah,

But very different. Yeah,