Walking is a low-impact exercise that’s easy on your joints and can be done just about anywhere. But, did you know there are specific benefits of walking after eating?

Here are five benefits of walking after eating. Some of them may surprise you.

Walking after eating may help regulate your blood sugar. A study in Sports Medicine found that when people went for a light walk after eating, their blood sugar levels rose and fell more gradually than if they stood up or continued sitting. Participants’ insulin levels also remained more stable during walking than with standing or sitting.

You don’t need to take a long walk to reap the benefits — 20 minutes should do the trick. It’s also best to start walking as soon as possible after finishing a meal since blood sugar levels tend to spike between 60 and 90 minutes after eating.

Walking after eating can aid in digestion. A study in PLOS One found that walking stimulates the stomach and intestines.

Walking after meals can also help lower blood pressure. Hypertension is one of the leading causes of heart disease and stroke, so it’s important to find ways to reduce high blood pressure. A study in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care found taking three 10-minute walks every day can help reduce diastolic blood pressure in people with prehypertension.

Walking after eating can help with weight loss.. The average person takes about 20 minutes to walk a mile, so a 30-minute walk after a meal at a mild pace could help you burn up to 150 calories, if not more.

Walking after a meal can improve your mood. Exercise helps reduce the levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol, in the body. It also increases positive hormones like endorphins and oxytocin (also known as the love hormone). These hormones not only help you feel good, but they also help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

If you work from home, try taking a short lunchtime walk between meetings. What matters most is getting into the habit of walking after mealtimes and creating consistency within your routine whenever possible.