Three surprising habits that can cause indigestion

1. Crossing Your Legs While Sitting
   It's well-known that lying down or lying face down right after a meal can cause indigestion. However, the habit of unconsciously crossing your legs while sitting can also negatively affect digestion. Crossing your legs puts pressure on the abdomen, which interferes with the digestive activity of the stomach and intestines. This can slow down the process of food moving from the stomach to the intestines, causing symptoms such as bloating and indigestion. Additionally, crossing your legs can impede blood circulation in the lower body. Good blood circulation is essential for the digestive organs to function properly. If blood flow to the lower body is restricted, the digestive organs may receive less blood supply, reducing the oxygen and nutrients necessary for efficient digestion. As a result, food may remain in the stomach for longer periods, increasing the likelihood of experiencing indigestion. To aid digestion, it's better to sit with your back against the chair, keeping your feet flat on the ground, and your knees facing forward rather than crossing your legs.
2. Excessive Dieting
   While overeating is a common cause of indigestion, extreme dieting can also lead to digestive issues. Drastically reducing food intake, especially through fasting, can slow down stomach motility and disrupt normal acid secretion, leading to slower digestion. Furthermore, when there isn't enough food, excess stomach acid can irritate the stomach lining, causing temporary heartburn or indigestion. Prolonged issues like this can even lead to gastritis or acid reflux disease. Focusing exclusively on a particular diet can also result in poor digestion. For example, an excessive intake of raw vegetables, which are high in fiber, can generate excess gas, causing bloating and indigestion. On the other hand, a high-protein diet, which takes longer to digest, can burden the stomach. Severely reducing carbohydrate intake can disturb the balance of gut microbiota, leading to constipation. Rather than following a restrictive diet, it's better to consume a variety of nutrients in balanced portions.
3. Smoking
   Harmful substances from smoking can also contribute to indigestion. Many smokers report that cigarettes taste better after meals due to a sweetener in tobacco called Perillartine. When mixed with saliva after eating, Perillartine can make cigarettes taste sweeter, and the oiliness of food can reduce the bitter taste, increasing the urge to smoke. Nicotine, once in the body, weakens the lower esophageal sphincter and stimulates excess production of stomach acid. This increases the risk of acid reflux, heartburn, and indigestion after meals. Additionally, nicotine itself irritates the stomach lining, contributing to conditions like gastritis and ulcers. Smoking also impairs blood circulation by constricting blood vessels, reducing the amount of blood flow needed for proper digestion. To curb the urge to smoke after meals, try chewing gum or brushing your teeth instead.

 

 

 

 

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