Most everybody eats whereas standing upright every so often—whenever you’re crunched for time, have to nourish on the go, or after returning dwelling from an exhausting day and at last get to open that wonderful container of leftover pad thai you’d been wanting ahead to since 9 a.m. (we have all been there). However have you ever ever puzzled how standing whereas consuming impacts your digestion… and is it at all times preferable to eat whereas sitting?
To higher perceive how standing up versus sitting down impacts digestion, we consulted Peyton Berookim, MD, MA, FACG, AGAF, a double board-certified gastroenterologist on the Gastroenterology Institute of Southern California.
How does consuming whereas standing impression digestion?
In response to Dr. Berookim, a number of comparatively minor modifications in digestion, in addition to consuming patterns, are inclined to happen whenever you chow down in your ft. “First, from a physiological standpoint, standing whereas consuming could cause blood to ‘pool’ in your legs due merely to gravity,” he says. “This could trigger some decreased blood move to your intestine, the place it’s wanted for digestion. Because of this, your digestion will not be fairly as clean and it’s possible you’ll expertise some fuel and indigestion.” (Dr. Berookim provides that comparable results apply to shifting your physique immediately after consuming, which might promote sooner digestion and result in insufficient nutrient absorption.) This impact, he says, is nothing to lose sleep over.
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Consuming standing up might also contain noshing extra quickly, which include some extra unwanted side effects. As Dr. Berookim shares, the sooner you eat, the extra possible you might be to swallow air, which may end up in some additional fuel in your abdomen. “Consuming rapidly and chewing much less completely can even lead to belly cramping or discomfort, as your abdomen would require extra time to interrupt down and digest meals,” he says. In the event you battle with these digestive points and may’t discover reduction by way of dietary modifications alone, Dr. Berookim recommends taking a seat as a substitute of standing whereas consuming and seeing in case your signs abate.
The advantages of sitting whereas consuming
While you sit whereas eating and take the time to take pleasure in your meal, you’ll be able to anticipate a number of advantages for digestion and in any other case.
Naturally, since consuming quickly and never chewing your meals sufficient usually lead to discomfort, modifying these habits can enhance digestive operate. But Dr. Berookim additionally says that taking your time to take a seat down and luxuriate in your meal is not simply good in your physique—it is also good in your thoughts.
As a 2019 assessment within the Journal of Integrative Drugs explains, mind-body practices like intuitive consuming can “keep PSNS [parasympathetic nervous system] dominance, serving to to domesticate autonomic nervous system (ANS) homeostasis important for optimum digestive operate.” In different phrases, since stress is confirmed to disturb gastrointestinal operate, retaining your physique calm and relaxed—in addition to eating at a straightforward tempo and below circumstances that promote full enjoyment of the meals in entrance of you—helps numerous mechanisms to encourage correct digestion. “Plus, sitting whereas consuming tends to contain longer meal occasions and a larger sense of calm,” Dr. Berookim provides. Whether or not you’re eating solo or breaking bread with associates, household, or colleagues, sitting whereas consuming can can help you take pleasure in your general eating expertise greater than standing upright could.
Be taught extra about intuitive consuming from a dietitian on this video:
Is it at all times preferable to take a seat and eat?
Although standing whereas consuming could trigger or exacerbate sure digestive signs, it seems that doing so has the potential to alleviate others.
For one, Dr. Berookim reminds us that heartburn and acid reflux disease are among the many commonest GI complaints. “Reflux is attributable to elevated strain within the abdomen that makes its approach up the esophagus, giving one signs of burning of their throat, a bitter style of their mouth, and eructation—aka belching,” he explains. To reduce this strain and its accompanying signs, Dr. Berookim advises sufferers keep away from laying down for just a few hours. “So on this situation, standing whereas consuming may very well assist sufferers with signs of heartburn or reflux by decreasing this strain, too.”
Nevertheless, all issues thought-about, Dr. Berookim says that standing or sitting whereas consuming is finally a matter of private desire. Merely take care to note if one situation tends to supply undesired digestive signs—and if that’s the case, modify your eating habits accordingly. “Both approach may be alright. An important factor is to be aware whereas consuming and be in tune with what your physique wants,” Dr. Berookim concludes.
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