How long should you wait after eating to get in the pool? This is what science says

Many people recall being told as children that they shouldn’t swim right after eating, but few understand the reasoning behind this standard warning. The main concern is that swimming on a full stomach could cause cramping, which might increase the risk of drowning. To explore this issue, the American Red Cross’ Scientific Advisory Committee Scientific Review released a report in 2011 reviewing the available research. Their conclusion? There’s no scientific evidence that eating before swimming causes cramps.

Myth busted: Eating before a swim increases the risk of drowning

One study they reviewed involved 24 participants, evenly split by gender, who ate a small meal of cereal, toast, sugar, butter, and whole milk. They then swam 200 yards freestyle at intervals of 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 2 hours after eating. None of the swimmers reported symptoms like nausea or cramping. Another study, featured on the Discovery Health Channel in 2006, had Dr. Know conclude that for cramping to become a serious drowning risk, a person would need to eat and then swim for miles.

After reviewing the literature, the Red Cross—one of the most recognized authorities on health and safety—concluded that “eating before swimming had no effect on swimming performance and minimal side effects at several different time intervals after a meal.” The pool can be a stressful place for parents and other caretakers of children, and just because their lunch doesn’t put them at higher risk of drowning, caution around water should always be taken.

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