Physical activity provides many benefits to our health: it helps us control weight, protects us from heart disease, keeps our bones strong, helps control diabetes and to prevent the occurrence of some cancers, including breast. However, few people know the effects of exercise on the digestive system.
According to a study conducted in Minnesota, USA, in overweight men and women, gastrointestinal problems improve with exercise. While in some cases these same digestive problems may limit the capacity, symptoms that reflect the people are relieved by the mere exercise.
Digestive problems of the study participants were: stomach pain, irritable bowel, diarrhea and bloating. The interesting study is that most obese people who had suffered most from gastrointestinal problems, but as the exercise accompanied by a reduction of fat in their meals and increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, symptoms also decreased.
Walk against traffic slow
On the other hand, has been linked to the amount of exercise you do with constipation. However, physical activity in preventing constipation is not entirely clear. It has been suggested that exercise strengthens the abdominal muscles and stimulates faster and more efficiently the movement of food through the intestine.
To prevent constipation, walk at least an hour a day. The recommendation to walk at least 10 minutes after lunch is valid, it helps to have better digestion. Besides stimulating the passage of stool, the stand helps keep better preparation of the fecal bolus by the sheer force of gravity.
Moreover, exercise is beneficial in contributing to mental relaxation and release stress. Excessive stress can aggravate the symptoms of constipation and irritable colon.
Recommendations for control constipation
- When you feel urge to evacuate, go on. Not put it off.
- Follow a schedule for toileting. A good time may be after breakfast or any meal.
- Eat more fiber.
- Take plenty of fluids. These may include water, juices, soups, tea and other beverages.
- Avoid taking laxatives frequently.
- If you’re feeling stressed (a), take a walk or practice some method of relaxation, like yoga.
- Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly.
- Avoid soft drinks.
- And above all, do more exercise or move more.