We’ve all had indigestion at some point. It can also make you feel fat or sick, give you heartburn, burp, and bring bitter-tasting liquids or food into your mouth. One of the most common signs of indigestion is acid reflux when food from your stomach runs into your food pipe.

And for most people with acid reflux, their symptoms, like heartburn, get worse when they try to sleep or go to sleep. Gut acid that runs down the food pipe and into the larynx and throat may even make some people wake up coughing or choking or with severe chest pain.

How Does Sleep Affect Digestion?

• Our gut system turns Carbs into glucose, proteins into acid content, and fats into fatty acids.
• The process starts in the mouth, where your teeth grind the food and mix it with saliva to make breathing easier.
• When the muscles in your food pipe contract, they push the food through a sphincter, a small muscle ring that can contract and relax. The food then goes into your stomach, which is chemically and physically broken down before being pushed through an additional sphincter into the small intestine.
• Here, it combines with bile and more processing enzymes. After that, nutrients are removed, and waste is moved to the large intestine, where it is extracted from the body.
• After being taken in, these nutrients reach every cell in the body through the bloodstream.

On the other hand, the digestive system works much less well when you go to sleep. Because of this, both modern science and Ayurveda say that you should eat food a few hours before bed.

What Is The Best Time To Sleep After Eating?

If you follow the Ayurvedic clock, you should sleep before ten at night and wake up before morning. This is because kapha dosha rules during these times make you feel dull. Also, dinner at 7 p.m. is best. Some people think waiting at least two hours between dinner and bedtime is best, even if they eat later.

This old knowledge is supported by modern science. It’s best to eat three hours before bed because gravity can keep stomach gas in your stomach whether you’re sitting or standing. It’s not just dinner; you should also avoid midnight snacks and naps after lunch.

Which Position Is Best For Sleep?

Have you ever thought about which side to sleep on Here are a few suggestions for the best way to sleep for your digestive system

1. Sleep On Your Left Side

Sleeping on your left side is the best way to sleep. It could be better for the way your gut system works. This is true for a few different reasons. One reason is that your stomach is on the left side of your body and gravity can help trash move from your small intestine to your large intestine. Researchers have also found that sleeping on your left side lowers your risk of acid reflux. On the other hand sleeping in any other position, even on your back, increases your risk of acid reflux.

2. Elevate The Head Of Your Bed

When you raise the head of your bed, it can be challenging for stomach acid to move against gravity from your stomach to your food pipe. It’s best to have your head six to eight inches above your feet. You can do this by putting bed steps on the legs that hold up the head of your bed. You can also set a foam wedge under your upper body instead. Putting pillows on each other might not give your body the support it needs.

Different Sleeping Positions: Pros And Cons?

When choosing the best way to sleep, here are some things you should consider. Also, you’ll know which side to sleep on:

1. Back Sleeping

The least amount of stress is on your back in this pose. If you want to avoid putting pressure on your back, sleep on your side instead. And the worst way to sleep for your back is on your stomach. It helps keep your spine straight and spread out your body weight when lying on your back.

The following groups of people will benefit from this job:

• Pain in the lower back
• Having neck pain
• Recurrent stuffy nose
• A habit of grinding their teeth at night

But it’s not the best way to sleep for pregnant women, people with acid reflux, adults who are older or more significant, or people who snore or have sleep apnea. People with certain types of back pain may also want to avoid this position.

2. Side Sleeping

People with lower back pain should sleep on their side with a pillow between their legs. People with back or neck pain may also feel better when sleeping on their side. But if you have shoulder pain, this is not the best way to sleep because it can make your shoulders feel tight or sore.

Too much pressure on the stomach or lungs can also numb someone if they stay in the pose for too long. Occasionally, moving around and using the right mattress and pillow might be a good idea. Sleeping on a cushion that lets your shoulders and hips sink lower than your central spine can be helpful.

When you sleep on your side, you can:

• People who have acid reflux
• People who snore or have sleep apnea
• Older people who are pregnant

Also, sleeping on your left side may be better than sleeping on your right.

3. Stomach Sleeping

While you sleep, this pose can help you breathe better if you snore. The fact that you have to fight gravity to breathe, on the other hand, can make your sleep less comfortable. It also doesn’t support your back very well. You also twist your neck and head, which makes it out of line with your spine.

Also, sleeping on your stomach for a long time can make your skin feel numb and tingly, so make sure you move around a lot. Women who are pregnant or who are worried about back or neck pain should not sleep on their stomachs. Because of this, sleeping on your stomach isn’t the best way to sleep because it makes you feel worse.

Conclusion

Sleeping on your left side is best for digestion because it makes it easier for trash to move from the small intestine to the large gut and lessens acid reflux. Putting the head of the bed higher can also help stop acid reflux. However, each person should choose a sleeping position based on their health and pleasure.