Eating Minimum 4 Hours Before Sleep Could Reduce Heartburn

At bedtime one is advised not to eat heavy food. But it turned out to eat at least 4 hours before bed can reduce heartburn.

Heartburn is a painful burning sensation just below or behind the breastbone that usually originates from the esophagus. The pain is often up to the chest and spreads to the neck or throat, causing discomfort and very disturbing.

The researchers said the rules of dinner 3-4 hours before bedtime is a good rule to follow because it can reduce the effects of heartburn, as quoted by The New York Times on Wednesday (09/07/2011).

This is because in the span of the meal was finished digested by the stomach. If food is not digested and immediately lay the stomach acid will be pushed into the esophagus because the force of gravity can not help keep the digestive fluids remain in the stomach.

The results of this study support recommendations for dinner schedule for GERD patients are encouraged to eat early. Suggested schedule an early dinner for GERD patients are also useful for weight loss.

The study, reported in The American Journal of Gastroenterology 350 people tested to see if their eating habits at night can cause the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or not.

After controlling the things that affect heartburn such as smoking and body mass index, the researchers found eating in less than 3 hours before bed can increase seven-fold risk of reflux symptoms.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which stomach contents (food or liquid) back from the stomach into the esophagus or throat. GERD can irritate the esophagus, causing burning sensation and pain in the gut and other symptoms.