Summer arrives and beaches are increasingly crowded, not only with people sunbathing or swimming, but also with the usual walk along the shoreline. This is something most people do, and in general it is thought to be a very healthy and beneficial activity for health, but is it really so? Dr. Julio Maset has spoken on the topic through his social networks, explaining what the pros and cons of this popular routine are.
Walking barefoot on the beach is an excellent habit for our body and health in general. Dr. Maset explains that this practice helps blood circulate much better throughout the body and, as you walk on a surface that changes constantly, it makes the muscles in the ankles and legs stronger. Moreover, the seawater and the beach environment help hydrate the skin naturally, while the grains of sand work as an exfoliating cream that cleans and softens the soles of the feet by removing dead skin. That said, to enjoy all these advantages without getting hurt, the expert warns to pay close attention to a key detail: the type of sand you walk on.
The danger of walking along the shoreline
At first glance, walking along the shoreline seems like the best option, since it is “compact, firm, and cool”, not to mention how comfortable and refreshing it is to stroll while the waves soak your feet. However, this simple and everyday act can be harmful to health due to the way the sand sits. When wet, this area tends to have a pronounced slope. Walking for extended periods on an inclined surface forces one leg to work harder than the other. According to Dr. Julio Maset, “a walk along the shore can lead us to strain the ankles and legs, causing discomfort.” Moreover, this risk increases if there have been recent injuries, such as a sprain or even having flat feet.
That is why the expert proposes an alternative, explaining that the best option is to walk on soft sand. “Soft sand is better at absorbing impact,” he notes. In addition to being a much more stable surface, provided it does not burn and does not make you sink too much, it becomes one of the best options thanks to its cushioning capacity, achieving that our joints suffer less during exercise.
