Yes, you read that title correctly. Social media has dubbed the post-meal walk a “fart walk.” While the name is certainly funny, the idea behind it is worth taking it seriously.  

What is a fart walk?   

A fart walk is a 10–15-minute walk after a meal at a comfortable pace. A short walk after eating can support digestion and may help manage the rise in blood sugar that naturally occurs after a meal.    

Fart walks and digestion  

Walking after a meal can help stimulate peristalsis, the natural movement of your digestive system that helps move food and gas through your gastrointestinal tract. This may help reduce feelings of bloating and abdominal discomfort.  

Staying upright and moving after a meal may also help reduce symptoms of acid reflux for some people.  

Blood sugar and fart walks   

If better digestion isn’t enough to get you moving, there’s another good reason to take a walk after eating. It may also help manage your blood sugar.   

When you walk, your muscles use glucose for energy. Taking a short walk after a meal can help your muscles take up some of the glucose in your bloodstream, which may help reduce the rise in blood sugar that follows a meal.  

Post-meal walks can be especially helpful for people who are working to manage blood sugar or insulin resistance. 

Fart walks can be good for more than digestion  

A short walk after a meal is an easy way to add more movement to your day. Regular walking can also support heart health, help manage blood pressure, and give you a break from sitting.  

Keep your post-meal walks simple. Aim for 10–15 minutes at an easy, comfortable pace, starting within about 10–15 minutes after a meal.  

As we head out of the heat and humidity of St. Louis summers, consider making a post-meal “fart walk” a new healthy habit. Your digestive system, and the rest of your body, may thank you.