Sadhguru says going to bed ‘with a full stomach’ may cause backache; an expert weighs in

If you wake up with a backache, it could be because you went to bed right after eating, according to Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. “One of the reasons why you may be having backache when you get up is you are going to bed with a full stomach. Your stomach bag is full, and you go and lie down. The pressure falls on the spine. And it also doesn’t allow many organs to function,” said Sadhguru.

Praising the traditional practice of eating before sunset in an Instagram video, he said, “There are also other reasons for it (backache) but at least there are three to four hours before you hit the bed. That way, there will be no backache.”

To verify this claim, we turned to an expert.

There could be various factors causing back pain such as lifting something heavy, falling on the back causing trauma, lack of exercise, poor posture, and slouching. “There’s not enough scientific research or evidence to back up the correlation between backache and going to bed with a full stomach. If your backache sustains for more than a week or two then consulting experts can help manage the situation. It is crucial to understand the root cause of your back pain to create an effective treatment plan,” said Dr Priti Jain, gastroenterologist, Apollo Spectra Delhi.

Here’s what to consider (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

However, Dr Jain added that one shouldn’t neglect the fact that immediately falling asleep after dinner can be an unhealthy habit that needs to be paused for the sake of your health. “Sleeping immediately after eating can negatively impact health. It can lead to reflux of food present in the stomach into the esophagus resulting in problems like heartburn, indigestion, constipation, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD),” said Dr Jain, adding that one can also experience sudden weight gain.

Persistently following this habit can affect your sleep, too. “This can lead to sleep disorders like insomnia, parasomnia, sleep apnea, and sleepwalking,” said Dr Jain.

 

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Try eating 2 to 3 hours before bedtime to aid digestion. “Engaging in healthy habits like going on a long walk after a meal can ensure mobility and potentially reduce the possibility of experiencing problems like bloating, and gas which can be good for your health,” said Dr Jain.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.

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