The Danger of Going to Bed Right after Eating

Although the idea of going to bed after a big, satisfying meal seems comforting, there are good reasons for not doing that. While you are lying flat on your bed, your body has a hard time trying to process what you have just eaten, which may pose a whole wide range of health issues, ranging from indigestion to stroke.

Going to bed right after eating and health risks

Heartburn

Heartburn, as the name suggests, is the burning sensation that starts in your stomach and spreads to your chest and throat. It is caused by excess stomach acid levels – the result of sleeping right after eating.

Acid reflux

Acid reflux happens when the valve between your stomach and esophagus do not close properly, allowing the stomach acid to flow back up into your throat. Lying down after eating may trigger this condition. If acid reflux persists, your mucus membranes may be damaged by the stomach acids.

Stroke

Research shows that sleeping right after a meal may raise one’s risk of having a stroke. Researchers studied 500 healthy people, half of which once had strokes and the other half had acute coronary syndrome. People who had the longest waiting time between eating and sleeping were least likely to experience strokes. Although the research wasn’t able to provide an exact reason for the association, researchers believed acid reflux might have a role. Acid reflux may cause sleep apnea, which is associated with strokes. Also, the digestive process has an impact on one’s blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, all of which contribute to the risk of strokes.

So how long do you have to wait?

Your digestive system may need up to 3 hours to fully process food. So, try to keep your eyes open for more than a couple of hours after you eat. After the food has been dealt with, you will probably sleep better.

What else shouldn’t you do after eating?

Smoking

Studies suggest that a cigarette smoked after eating can pose a 10-time higher risk. Smoking after you have just eaten greatly increases your risk of getting lung cancer.

Taking a shower

Showering right after meals has been proven to cause digestive problems. When you shower, your blood is drawn to your body, hands, and legs, thus taking away the blood needed for digestion. If you really want to take a shower, wait for at least 40 minutes.

Eating fruits

Fruits should be eaten one to two hours before meals. If you eat fruits right after your meals, you may get bloating.

Drinking tea

The acidity of tea may cause indigestion. Acids in tea make proteins hard to digest. Drinking tea after meals also reduce your body’s ability to absorb iron properly.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.