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Rest for a while after Dinner...

The proverb "After dinner rest a while, after supper walk a mile" suggests different behaviors after the two main evening meals, with the former implying a brief rest after a larger, main meal (dinner) and the latter recommending a leisurely walk after a smaller, lighter meal (supper) to aid digestion and promote health. Modern understanding supports the benefits of post-meal walking for improving digestion, blood sugar control, mood, and overall metabolic health, while a brief rest can allow for better digestion of a substantial meal.
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Dinesh said:

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36715875

After Dinner Rest a While, After Supper Walk a Mile? A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis on the Acute Postprandial Glycemic Response to Exercise Before and After Meal Ingestion in Healthy Subjects and Patients with Impaired Glucose Toleranc

Background: The most effective way to cope with high blood sugar spikes is to engage in physical activity in temporal proximity to food intake. However, so far, it is unclear as to whether there is an optimal time for physical activity around food intake.

Objectives: We aimed to identify the impact of pre- and post-meal exercise on postprandial glucose excursions in humans with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis, PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022324070. We screened MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane/CINAHL/EMBASE, and Web of Knowledge until 1 May, 2022. We used the risk of bias rating with the crossover extension of the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool II. Standardized mean differences (SMDs, Hedges' g) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated as pooled effect estimates of a random-effects meta-analysis. Eligibility criteria included three-armed randomized controlled trials comparing the acute effects of pre- and post-meal exercise to a no-exercise control in humans.

Results: Eight randomized controlled trials (crossover trials, high risk of bias) with 30 interventions in 116 participants (47 diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, 69 without type 2 diabetes) were eligible. Exercise after meal ingestion (real food or meal replacement drinks) led to a reduction in postprandial glucose excursions compared with exercise before eating (15 effect sizes; SMD = 0.47 [95% CI 0.23, 0.70]) and an inactive control condition (15 effect sizes; SMD = 0.55 [95% CI 0.34, 0.75]. Pre-meal exercise did not lead to significantly lower postprandial glucose compared to an inactive control (15 effect sizes; SMD = - 0.13 [95% CI - 0.42, 0.17]). The time between meal and exercise (estimate = - 0.0151; standard error = 0.00473; Z = - 3.19; p = 0.001; 95% CI - 0.024, - 0.006) had a moderating influence on postprandial glucose excursions.

Conclusions: Exercise, i.e., walking, has a greater acute beneficial impact on postprandial hyperglycemia when undertaken as soon as possible after a meal rather than after a longer interval or before eating.
2 days ago

Dinesh said:

The tradition of resting after dinner and walking after supper originated from a long-standing British proverb based on historical eating habits and folk wisdom about digestion. While the advice reflects an old pattern, the underlying logic is supported by modern science.

Though the proverb is centuries old, its advice for managing digestion is supported by modern medical research.

Walking aids digestion: A light walk increases gut motility, which helps move food through the digestive tract. This can reduce bloating and abdominal discomfort.

Regulates blood sugar: Physical activity after a meal helps your muscles use glucose for energy. This can help moderate blood sugar spikes and has been shown to be more effective than walking at other times of the day.

Improved sleep: A gentle walk in the evening can promote better sleep, especially compared to remaining sedentary or consuming a heavy late-night meal.

Boosts metabolism: The increased circulation from walking helps the body circulate nutrients more efficiently.

The shift from dinner to supper

The British eating schedule was transformed by the Industrial Revolution. As people began working in factories and offices far from home, the midday meal became a lighter "lunch," and the main meal ("dinner") was moved to the evening. This is why the phrases "dinner" and "supper" are used differently in various regions and social classes. Despite the shift in meal times, the old wisdom about how to treat heavy vs. light meals
2 days ago
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