After eating, choosing to lie down or stand for a while, the effect on digestion is of concern to many. From the point of view of Chinese medicine and modern medicine, adequate post-dinner standing can facilitate absorption, while immediate lay-down may be detrimental to food digestion. The following is a detailed analysis:The benefits of standing after dinner.1. Promoting digestive fluid flowsStanding can help to better mix stomach food with digestive fluids. Owing to gravity, stand-time stomach acid and digestive enzymes can be distributed more evenly in food, thus accelerating the process of food decomposition.2. Avoiding gastric acid reversalsLeaning immediately after the meal may lead to a reverse flow of stomach acid and food to the oesophagus, causing a backtale of stomach acid or a backtale of the stomach oesophagus (GERD). Standing can help keep the lower end of the stomach at the upper end of the esophagus and reduce the incidence of backsliding.3. Support for spleen stomach functionFrom a Chinese doctor ‘ s point of view, standing behind meals facilitates the abdominal function. Stand-ups can help to increase temperaments and lower stomachs and facilitate the fine transformation and absorption of water valleys.4. Promotion of blood circulationStanding up promotes the circulation of lower limb blood and indirectly helps the circulation of abdominal blood, which is useful for the blood supply of digestive organs and for digestive absorption.5. Prevention of obesityStanding can help to consume some heat, and can help to control weight.The negative effect of lying down immediately after dinner.1. Repressive digestive organsWhen lying down, the stomach and the intestinal tract may be oppressed, affecting their normal creeping and digestive functions.2. Reduce the rate of digestionWhen lying down, the movement of stomach acids and digestive enzymes may become slow, thus slowing the digestive rate of food.
3. Inducing discomfort
An immediate lie may lead to stomach discomfort, gas or indigestion.Recommendations for appropriate activities after dinner1. Light activitiesMinor activities after meals, such as walking, can help to stimulate gastrointestinal creeping and promote digestive absorption. Walking enhances the abdominal function and helps to better digest food.2. Stand on your feetIf conditions do not permit a walk, the option is to stand, put your hands on your abdomen, massage them, and help with food digestion.Respiratory exerciseDeep breathing exercises help to relax abdominal muscles and promote gastrointestinal creeping.Activities not suitable for immediate after-dinning1. Heavy exerciseSevere movement immediately after meals, such as running, fitness, etc., can divert the flow of blood to the digestive system and affect digestive absorption.2. BathingAfter-dinning baths, especially hot baths, can lead to blood flowing to the skin surface, reducing the supply of blood from digestive organs and affecting digestive functions.3. SleepSleeping immediately after meals slows metabolism and discourages the absorption of food.ConclusionsIn general, adequate post-dinner standing is beneficial for digestive absorption. Stand-ups can help to better mix food with digestive fluids, promote digestion, reduce the risk of gastric acid backsliding and support spleen function. However, this does not mean that it is necessary to stand long after dinner, which is generally recommended for 15 to 30 minutes. This can be followed by light activities, such as walking, to further promote digestion. The physical condition of each individual, of course, is different and should be adjusted to the individual ‘ s digestive and physical state. In the case of diseases of the digestive system, appropriate post-dinner activities should be carried out on the advice of the doctor.
