Going to Sleep on a Full Stomach: This Is Why You Should Avoid It

Going to sleep on a full stomach is not a good idea. The body needs a lot of energy for digestion, which makes sleep restless and can even lead to stomach problems. Therefore, you should refrain from eating sumptuous food before going to bed.

You shouldn’t go to sleep on a full stomach

When it comes to food, there are countless rules that should be followed. One of them is not going to bed on a full stomach. There is a logical explanation behind what grandmother preached to us.

• In order to know why you shouldn’t go to sleep on a full stomach, you should know the processes of human digestion. Put simply, our body digests food in two stages or steps.
• In the first step, our body pre-digests the food. This process takes between three and five hours and usually occurs while we are awake. The second step is post-digestion, which usually takes place while we sleep – more precisely during the deep sleep phase.
• If we go to sleep before pre-digestion is complete, our body will start post-digestion much sooner. However, in order to properly digest food, the body needs a lot more energy.

Avoid greasy and alcoholic beverages before going to bed

The body therefore uses more energy when the pre-digestion is “broken off” by sleep. This in turn has consequences for our sleep.

• On the one hand, it can happen that you sleep more restlessly and wake up more often at night. Because your body has to use more energy for digestion, it is harder for you to get into the deep sleep phase or not at all.
• On the other hand, a full stomach at bedtime can lead to discomfort. Digestive problems such as heartburn or a feeling of fullness can be the result. Restorative sleep is then out of the question.
• Therefore, you should not eat anything at least three – preferably four to five – hours before going to bed. You should also avoid greasy, fried and spicy foods at your last meal of the day. They also require more energy for digestion.
• In the evening, it is better to eat easily digestible food. Fish, oatmeal, nuts, bananas, avocados and dairy products are particularly suitable.
• By the way: Alcohol also has a negative effect on sleep. You wake up more often with alcohol in your blood. Therefore, it is best to avoid alcoholic beverages altogether or switch to water in good time before going to bed.