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Dear Yahoo!:
Does the digestive process work any differently if you are lying down, sitting up, or standing?
Ivana Eatmore
Wilsonville, Oregon
Dear Ivana:
There may be some minor differences, but as Yahoo! Health explains, digestion is a remarkably autonomous process. This is due to peristalsis, which is the movement of the esophagus, stomach, and intestine that keeps food passing through your digestive system.

Peristalsis is the reason you can drink a glass of water while standing on your head. It's also the reason astronauts have no problem digesting food. However, the process is definitely helped by gravity.

If you tend to have digestive problems, HealthyLife.Com suggests that you not lie down at least two hours after you finish a meal, but doesn't offer any medical explanation. Several other sites warn against eating directly before going to bed.

In general, your best bet for maximum digestive efficiency seems to be sitting upright. The Mayo Clinic also suggests that you make sure you're relaxed while you're eating, so that your digestive muscles contract normally.

 
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