With the arrival of summer, a plan that many families repeatedly follow is to go to the beach. And although it might not seem so, this is an ideal area to exercise and keep your body in shape. The most common activity is walking, but did you know that you can also achieve results in the water? When vacationing at the beach, people typically set up their umbrella and dive into the sea. However, the vast majority commit the same mistake without realizing it: a quick dip and then back to the towel. According to the nutritionist specialized in digestive pathologies, Jesús Vázquez, this is the main error. The expert is clear: “Don’t leave the water after five minutes; stay at least half an hour.”
This stems from the fact that the expert explains that during that time, when you seem to simply be floating or cooling off, “your body is working much more than you imagine.” So yes, 30 minutes can make a difference to your health this summer.
Your body spends energy to stay warm
The first benefit of spending so much time in the water relates to temperature. Although the water feels pleasant, the reality is that “water steals heat much faster than air.” To counteract this effect and “keep the 37 degrees inside,” your body has to spend energy. In other words, your metabolism automatically activates simply by swimming or floating, forcing the body to “burn calories” to avoid cooling down.
It could be your gym while you’re on vacation
Sometimes we think that to exercise on the beach you have to start doing long swims and swim a lot to burn energy; however, this is a completely false belief. “Even though it may seem you’re still, you’re not,” clarifies Vázquez. The simple movement of the sea serves as a workout for your muscles. “The waves and the resistance of the water as you walk force your legs, abdomen, and back to work continuously to maintain balance,” the nutritionist assures. Unknowingly, you’re toning your whole body.
The ultimate remedy for tired legs
The expert clarifies that if you’re someone who suffers from the heat of summer, this advice is especially relevant: “If you tend to have swollen legs or to retain fluids, being in the water acts like a natural compression device.” When you submerge yourself, “the water pressure promotes venous return and lymphatic drainage, especially if you walk or move.” This naturally improves the circulation in your legs and provides a sense of relief.
Does this mean that swimming in the sea makes you slim?
The nutritionist prefers to be realistic and avoid spreading rumors: “No, but yes, it means that those 30 minutes make your body work and increase expenditure more than it seems, while you simply enjoy being in the water.” In addition, this health trick is not exclusive to the beach. “This doesn’t happen only in the water; in the sea, of course, if you bathe in a river or a lake, you also reap the same benefits,” the expert concludes. Adding another key detail that can amplify the benefits: “And the colder the water, the better.”
