Do you really need to wait to swim after eating?

Did your parents warn you not to jump into the pool right after eating? They were wrong.

In most cases, there’s no need to wait at least 30 minutes after eating to swim, doctors say.

This old warning stems from concerns that people may drown or fight because blood will be diverted to the full stomach rather than to the muscles.

In reality, people still have a lot of blood flowing to their muscles after eating, said Dr. Matthew Badgett of the Cleveland Clinic. A former high school swimmer, Badgett used to eat a few bananas and drink some water or Gatorade before running.

He fears the old warning could actually cause complications. It’s important to quench your thirst before swimming, especially on sunny days. People often don’t realize that they can still become dehydrated, which can cause muscle cramps.

“We sweat when we’re in the water, but we don’t appreciate the loss of water,” he said.

So jumping into the pool or sea after eating is no big deal for recreational swimming. But people who plan to swim or exercise may want to let their food digest to avoid cramping, just as they would wait before running.

Also, swimming after drinking a few beers is risky. People tend to be more aggressive, less coordinated and prone to poor choices when swimming after consuming alcohol. All of these factors can cause problems when dealing with strong ocean currents or tides at the beach this summer.

“You just won’t be as smart,” Badgett said.

___

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. AP is solely responsible for all content.