Nutritional therapist and pharmacist Deborah Grayson has urged Brits to rethink their evening meal set-up, or risk experiencing a slew of nasty symptoms such as acid reflux
Brits are being urged to break a bad habit when it comes to sitting down for our dinner.
If you’ve had a long, hard day at work, exhausted by your gruelling commute and dreary autumn whether – it’s tempting to collapse on the sofa, order a takeaway, and binge watch Netflix. And while there’s nothing wrong with this every now and then, it’s not a pattern you want to stick to. Nutritional therapist and pharmacist Deborah Grayson has warned that scoffing down your evening meal (whether a greasy Chinese or a healthy salad) while slouched on the sofa could cause some pretty serious health issues.
“Sitting at a table to eat rather than slouching on a sofa will improve your posture, making it easier for food to travel through the digestive system,” she said. “And without TV to distract you, you’ll be more aware of what you’re eating, chewing more slowly and thoroughly. This, in turn, makes it easier for the digestive system to break down your food and reduce the risk of digestive issues including indigestion and reflux.” Harvard Health recommends eating in a ‘neutral, upright spine position — not flexed too far forward or backward’, and even after you’ve finished your meal, it’s wise not to dive straight onto the sofa. This can also trigger acid reflux (when stomach acid shoots back up into the esophagus).
“Slouching puts pressure on the abdomen, which can force stomach acid in the wrong direction,” warns Dr. Kyle Staller, a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in the US. “And some evidence suggests that transit in the intestines slows down when you slouch. In my opinion, it probably does play a small role.”
How to stop aid reflux
If you’re suffering from acid reflux even though you’re eating at the table and maintaining good posture after meals, it’s worth taking some extra precautions such as eating smaller, more frequent meals, finding ways to relax on an evening, and dropping a few pounds if you’re overweight. The NHS also recommends avoiding:
Speak to a pharmacist if your heartburn is still bothering you after these tips. They will be able to prescribe medicines called antacids or alginates (to be taken with food) that can help ease your symptoms. If you’re still suffering, it is worth contacting your GP for an appointment.
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