Why You Shouldn't Shower Right After Eating

If you love a warm and cozy shower before bed, you’re definitely not alone. There's nothing wrong with it; in fact, a warm shower can actually help you sleep better and fall asleep faster. However, if you’ve just had a large dinner, it’s best to hold off on that shower and not jump "straight into the water." The reasons relate to how your digestive system operates. Interestingly, today’s researchers are finding evidence supporting what "the Great Eagle," or Maimonides, discovered 800 years ago.

When Your Brain Says: Let's Get to Work

What happens in our body when we eat? As soon as food reaches our digestive system, the brain sends out a "work crew" and sets them in motion. It instructs enzymes to start working and directs blood to flow to the digestive organs to ensure optimal digestion. This is why you should also avoid sleeping or exercising immediately after eating. The digestive system is in peak activity mode and shouldn't be interrupted.

A hot shower after a meal negatively impacts the digestive system: hot water speeds up blood flow to the skin, thereby disrupting the proper flow of blood to the digestive system. This can lead to various health issues, from gas to more severe digestive problems like constipation and stomach pain.

So, what should you do?

The recommendation is to wait at least 45 minutes after a hearty meal that includes carbohydrates and fats. Of course, if it’s a light meal like fruit, you might wait a shorter time. The principle is simple: let your body do what it needs to do at the right time. Hashem has embedded in each of us a remarkable system. If we don’t interfere with its work, we’ll be rewarded with a healthy and strong body.