Do you really have to wait 30 minutes to swim after eating?

A common myth is that it is unsafe to swim after eating unless a person waits a specific period of time of at least 30 minutes because the food will make the swimmer unable to stay above water.

This ancient warning stems from concern that people might drown or suffer convulsions due to blood being diverted to the digestive system instead of the muscles.

However, doctors say that in most cases, there is no need to wait at least 30 minutes after eating to go swimming.

"People actually still have a lot of blood flowing to their muscles after eating," explains Dr. Matthew Padgett of the Cleveland Clinic, noting that he was a former high school swimmer who would eat two bananas and drink some water before running a race.

He added that there is no need to worry about the complications of swimming after eating, saying: “It is important to quench your thirst before swimming, especially on sunny days. People often do not realize that they are at risk of dehydration, which can lead to muscle cramps. We sweat when we are in the water, but we do not appreciate the loss of water.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, swimming after eating may cause stomach cramps or muscle spasms, but this is not dangerous. So, although going for a swim with a full belly may not be the most comfortable thing to do, you can enjoy swimming right after eating.

But people who plan to swim or exercise may want to let their food digest to avoid cramps, just as runners do before a run.

However, Padgett cautioned against swimming after drinking alcohol, saying people tend to be more aggressive and prone to making poor choices when they swim after drinking alcohol.

All of these factors can cause problems when dealing with strong currents or ocean tides on the beach.