If you’re looking to help your digestive system, sometimes just getting up and moving might do the trick.
Alongside its known benefits for your heart and muscles, staying active is also great for gut health, as doctors have consistently pointed out.
Interestingly, you don’t need an intense workout to make a difference. A brief, simple bout of activity could be exactly what your gut needs, according to a gastroenterologist.
Fitness Tip of the Day: Regular Walking Can Boost Gut Health
Any form of regular exercise is beneficial, but specific movements can have unique advantages for digestion.
“Walking is particularly effective, and any type of aerobic exercise helps,” says Dr. Roshini Raj from New York University Langone Medical Center.
Why It Matters
Regular exercise is advantageous for many of your body’s systems, including the digestive system.
“When you’re feeling sluggish, your digestive system may be sluggish too. A sedentary lifestyle can slow digestion, leading to bloating, gas, and constipation,” Raj notes.
“Exercise can stimulate your gut and encourage the muscles in your digestive tract to move,” she explains. “It can also help reduce stress, which is known to impact gut health.”
Moreover, exercise can enhance the balance of your gut microbiome, improving bacteria diversity, Raj adds. “So, you really can add better gut health to the list of benefits that come with regular physical activity.”
How to Get Started
While any kind of aerobic exercise is beneficial, Raj suggests that a gentle walk might be the easiest way to begin.
Research even indicates that a short walk after meals offers specific benefits for digestion and blood sugar control.
Just ten minutes of walking—whether outdoors or on a treadmill—can have noticeable benefits, as indicated earlier. You could even enhance your walk by trying out mindfulness techniques, like Japanese or tai chi walking.
Additionally, certain stretches and yoga, particularly gentle spinal twists, can also aid digestion.
