Top 10 Food Myths and Facts

The old wives’ tale says never swim after eating because you will get stomach cramps and drown. This false advice is based on the thought that during digestion, blood flow increases to the stomach and away from the muscles needed in swimming. This leads to stomach cramps and increases the risk for drowning. Swimming strenuously on a full stomach can potentially cause cramping. However, a recreational swim following a meal will not increase the risk for drowning, unless alcohol is involved.