ttps:////»https://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd»>
Only if the water is too hot. After a meal, our blood flows in large amounts to the digestive system to aid digestion. “If we come into contact with very hot water, part of that blood diverts to the skin”, says physiologist Francisco Gacek, from USP. This is because the superficial blood vessels dilate to let heat through and cool the body. Thus, part of the blood that should help with the digestive process migrates to the skin. Food remains longer in the stomach and intestine, and may undergo harmful fermentation caused by bacteria. Cold water, on the other hand, does not bring digestion problems. Greater risk runs those who decide to swim after eating: physical exercise attracts much more blood to the muscles than hot bath water.