One of the habits that some people resort to after eating meals is to lie on their back or stomach to rest and watch TV, the phone, or other daily habits and practices, which may lead to some problems in the digestive system.
Lying down immediately after eating leads to special problems for those who suffer from gastrointestinal diseases such as esophageal reflux or heartburn. Doctors advise waiting for a period of time before reclining or lying down.
If you have eaten a meal and then go straight to bed to sleep without any time interval, this may cause you many harms. Here are the most important harms of sleeping after eating:
1. Heartburn
Although it may seem tempting to lie down to sleep immediately after eating, we assure you that it is not without some risks, especially the occurrence of heartburn.
While your body is trying to take a break, your digestive system does not have that kind of luxury and has to keep working.
As the stomach is active and secretes acids to aid in digestion, the lying position may cause these acids to rise from the stomach into the esophagus and even into the throat in some cases. This may cause you to feel a bitter feeling in the mouth accompanied by frequent belching, and may make sleeping at night difficult, for example.
2. Gastroesophageal reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux occurs as a result of the inability of the valve between the stomach and the esophagus to close properly, which may cause acids to return and rise into the throat, causing a burning sensation.
Lying down and sleeping after eating may trigger this condition. If it is not immediately remedied and treated, it may cause damage to the mucous membranes lining the throat, which in turn may cause other serious complications. Thus, the harms of sleeping after eating lie immediately.
3. Sleep problems and disorders
Trying to sleep after eating may not give your body the rest it needs. Quite the opposite, as this may cause bloating, gas, and stomach upset, which will make you toss and turn a lot while you try to sleep.
This is more clear and apparent when eating meals rich in fats and oils, specifically before bed.
4. Stroke
Some studies have shown that sleeping immediately after eating may increase your chances of developing clots, and that waiting for some time after finishing a meal before going to sleep may reduce your chances of developing clots. Researchers have differed as to the reason behind what is happening here:
Some suggest that sleeping after eating may increase the chances of developing sleep apnea, a condition that researchers link to strokes.
Others say that digestive problems and disorders resulting from sleeping after eating may cause an increase in blood pressure, bad cholesterol, and blood sugar, all of which are factors that increase the chance of developing clots.
5. Weight gain
The reason here is simply that you do not get the opportunity to burn even a small portion of calories after eating, which applies to both day and night meals.
However, it is worth noting here that this particular point is one of the controversial points regarding the harmful effects of sleeping after eating, as some researchers point out that eating food before sleeping at night is what may increase weight, and that this does not apply to daytime meals.
The best time to lie down after eating:
If you want to lie down after eating meals, whether you are at home or out on the beach, for example, you should wait for a certain period of time before that, as it is usually recommended to wait at least 30 minutes after eating before lying down completely, and you can also remain in an inclined and semi-reclining position. Standing up after placing a pillow behind the back shortly after eating.
If you want to sleep or lie down completely after eating a meal, you must wait a longer period, as nutrition experts recommend that you can go to bed two hours after dinner. As for those with diseases of esophageal reflux disease or the diaphragm, it is recommended to wait for at least three hours before sleeping, and it is preferable to This will be after 4 hours.
Snacks you can eat before bed:
If you are hungry and want to eat before going to sleep at night, for example, there are several light and healthy meals that will have the least impact on your digestive system, and these are the most important of them:
- Warm milk with a little honey.
- Blueberry.
- peanut butter.
- Unroasted almonds.
- Light fat yogurt with fruits.
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