This blog will tell you to harms and drawback sof lying down after you have your meal, we’ll explore the measures of how we can avoid it for a better digestive health.
In our hectic life we often find it hard to enjoy our meals. We often ignore healthy eating habits, for example, lying down soon after eating is one of the unhealthy habits. Lying down after eating is the cause of people feeling lazy after eating. After eating, we often want to relax and feel comfortable, this is why we prefer to lie down. But, this habit might not prove any benefits for your health, in-fact it is bad. It can affect your digestive system in various manners and can cause certain health problems including reflux, heartburn, indigestion, bloating, slower digestion, gas, or pain. If you experience intolerable stomach pain or discomfort, especially for a longer period, you should get your health checkup done after talking to your doctor.
Impact on the Digestive System
Mouth marks the beginning of understanding the digestive system’s role. It is the place where food is broken into smaller pieces as we chew the food. After chewing, we swallow the food. The food then travels down the oesophagus and reaches the stomach. In the stomach digestive enzymes and acid work which breaks the food particles even more. The food travels through your small intestine. In the small intestines, the absorption of nutrients takes place. The remaining waste then moves to the large intestine. The large intestine eliminates the waste through the anus. Lying down just after having your meal can negatively impact your digestive system in many ways. The impact is greatly influenced by the type and size of your meal.
Symptoms of Digestive Issues
- Uncomfortable feeling of fullness after having meal
- Feeling of fullness
- Pain in the abdominal region
- Feeling bloated
- Feeling gassy
- Having nausea
However, dyspepsia can also happen if you lie down immediately after having your meal. Dyspepsia is a group of symptoms not a disease per se. Reasons for having indigestion-
- Not chewing the food properly.
- Eating oily and greasy foods
- Overeating
- Eating spicy foods
- Consuming caffeinated products
- Consuming carbonated beverages
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Having anxiety
Health Issues of Lying Down After Eating
If you have a habit of lying down soon after eating, you might develop certain long-term side effects including sleep issues, digestive issues, etc.
Some potential health issues related with this habit:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), heartburn, and Acid Reflux
Lying down just after eating puts pressure on your LES- lower oesophagal sphincter. LES is the muscle that helps in preventing the backflowing of contents of the stomach. This can make you uncomfortable and can cause heartburn, acid reflux, and other GERD symptoms. Stomach acid can more easily back into the oesophagus, causing heartburn and a sour taste.
Indigestion
Dyspepsia or indigestion can also be caused if you have a habit of lying Immediately after eating. It is a group of symptoms, not a disease. A lying down position with a full stomach makes the digestion of food longer. It also causes gas, bloating, and stomach discomfort.
Poor Sleep Quality
A good time to sleep after having a delicious meal feels like the ultimate comfort. Research has shown that reclining soon after eating redirects the blood flow and aids in digestion. This may become the cause of feeling bloating, discomfort, and indigestion. People may also have disturbed sleep patterns. Those who have their last meal close to bedtime are more likely to wake up throughout the night. They are also at a higher risk of having severe sleep apnea.
Weight Gain
Lying down in bed soon after eating does not directly increase or affect your weight, but it can increase the chances of gaining weight. When you eat your last meal close to your bedtime, it affects your digestion process. The digestion process becomes slower. This eventually decreases your body’s opportunity to burn off the consumed calories. late meal times and weight gain are linked to certain factors including metabolism rate and insulin levels. These cause a gain of weight. Weight gain causes certain health issues.
Risk of Barrett’s Esophagus and Esophageal Cancer
Oesophageal cancer or Barrett’s oesophagus is not directly caused in people who lie down soon after eating, but this habit can potentially increase the risk of developing it. Lying down soon after lying on a regular basis after meals can increase the chances of developing GERD- gastroesophageal reflux disease and acid reflux problems. These problems are related to Barrett’s oesophagus, which is a precancerous condition. When the acid in the stomach flows back into the oesophagus frequently, it can cause certain damage to the lining of the stomach. This increases the risk of developing Barrett’s oesophagus and oesophagal cancer.
Slowed Digestion
The lying down position slows down the movement of food through your digestive tract when compared to an upright position which helps digestion by easing out the movement of food through the digestive tract. Lying down therefore inhibits this natural process. It can lead to a slowed digestion. Slowed digestion can cause feeling of fullness for a longer period, bloating, and other discomfort.
Impaired Nutrient Absorption
The small intestine is responsible for the absorption of maximum nutrients. When you lie down soon after having your meal might affect your digestive system. It makes the movement of food inefficient. This eventually causes inadequate absorption of nutrients and affects overall nutritional health.
Blood Sugar Regulation
Blood sugar levels can be regulated by following a physical activity routine. Following a sedentary lifestyle after meals might affect your insulin sensitivity. This causes the development of insulin resistance. This eventually increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. You should get your Hb1AC test to confirm your blood glucose levels.
Tips to Minimize the Risk of Lying Down After Eating Here Are Some Tips for Minimizing the Risks of Lying Down After Eating
We often are told to lie at least after 30 minutes of having our meals, “so is it safe and true?” Well, yes! lying down after 30 minutes of having our meal is safe. This allows enough time for your stomach to start the digestion process. It additionally reduces the risk of developing acid reflux disorders.
If you still have the urge to lie down after a meal, take care of your posture. Try to keep a supporting prop at your back to keep your upper body at an angle. This will help prevent your stomach acid from flowing back into the oesophagus.
Try not to overeat anytime before bedtime. Consuming heavy meals before your bedtime can make you uncomfortable. This meal takes a lot more to get digested, and you have digestive issues.
You should listen to your body so as to identify if it is bad to lie down after eating. If you feel even the slightest of discomfort, then you should avoid it. However, you should prefer taking a long walk after having your meal and then only go to bed.
