‘Passeggiata’: The Italian Walk To Help Your Heart And Sleep

You might have heard of post-dinner “fart walks,” linked to better cardiovascular health, steadier blood sugar, and better ageing.

Perhaps it would be unkind of me to compare the term to Italy’s time-honoured tradition of ‘passeggiata’ strolling. But some research suggests the benefits are similar.

The word literally translates to “stroll”.

It’s an evening walk that some Italians make between about 5pm and 8pm. Some people take it multiple times a day, and certain roads may be more associated with the walk than others.

A passeggiata can be as short as 15 minutes or go on for hours. It’s not usually rushed and might not have a clear “point”: it’s just about the joy of moseying about together.

You might stop and talk to a neighbour or meet up with friends.

Just don’t mistake it for a strict exercise regime, orthopaedic surgeon Dr Gbolahan Okubadejo told Real Simple.

″[Italians] stroll through town or along a beachfront promenade. It’s communal, slow-paced, and intentionally not a workout.”

We already know that, in general, walking is great for our health. One paper found that people who walk 7,000 steps a day saw a 47% risk reduction in all-cause mortality, with a reduced likelihood of developing heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and depression.

But that’s not the only benefit here, especially if you take your passeggiata after your evening meal.

A 2016 study involving people with type two diabetes found that 10-minute strolls after each meal seemed to help to regulate their blood sugar better than walking in half-hour blocks. (All walking can be good for blood sugar, though.)

Walking can also make digesting your dinner easier.

Taking an evening walk can be useful for improving your sleep, too.

Then, there are the benefits of “mindful walking,” which can lower your stress, and/or socialising, which is linked to a longer life and a healthier heart.