Heavy and long digestion: what causes it?

Estimated read time: 5,4 minutes.

Heavy and long digestion is common , especially during times of excess such as holidays, celebrations or Christmas, which appears due to having eaten too much or in an unhealthy way.

A really annoying sensation that can greatly affect your quality of life. At Be Leves we are going to tell you the main causes of heavy digestion , so that you can take the necessary measures to prevent it and not suffer from heartburn or stomach heaviness again.

First of all, what is heavy digestion?

Heavy digestion is characterized by the appearance of discomfort in the abdominal area , usually after eating, although in some cases it can also appear while we are eating.

A much more common problem than it may seem, heavy and slow digestion is accompanied by acidity, heartburn, gas, bloating, nausea or vomiting among other symptoms.

Heavy digestion is defined as when our digestive system takes more than two hours to digest food after we finish eating. This can happen due to the amount and type of food we have eaten, the way it was cooked, the posture we have maintained during the meal, the way we chew or the time, as well as many other factors.

Main symptoms of slow and heavy digestion

It is important to know the symptoms of heavy digestion to relieve the discomfort they cause and prevent it from getting worse as the hours go by:

• Feeling of abdominal fullness : One of the most common symptoms of heavy digestion is the feeling of being full long after eating. This persistent fullness can occur even if only a moderate amount of food has been consumed.

• Abdominal distension : discomfort in dyspepsia due to the accumulation of gas in the stomach, which can cause a feeling of bloating.

• Frequent belching : Belching is a natural way of releasing excess air swallowed during meals. However, when it occurs too frequently and excessively, it can be indicative of slow and heavy digestion.

• Flatulence : Excessive production of intestinal gas can be another symptom of poor digestion.

• Heartburn : experiencing a burning sensation in the chest that may rise to the neck and throat, due to stomach acid refluxing into the esophagus.
  
  
• Nausea : Another common symptom of heavy digestion, this may occur shortly after eating and in some cases may lead to vomiting.
  
  
• Abdominal pain : This is probably the most common symptom of heavy digestion.
  
  
• Fatigue : Slow digestion can cause a general feeling of fatigue and lack of energy, because the body is using a considerable amount of energy to process food.

Why does digestion take a long time and take a long time?

Among the many factors that can contribute to this discomfort, overeating and eating unhealthy and difficult-to-digest foods are the main causes of long and heavy digestion , since the more we eat and the less healthy they are, the more effort our digestive system will have to make.

Likewise, the cooking method is another cause of difficult digestion , since, for example, frying can increase the probability of making digestion more difficult.

On the other hand, eating habits can also affect the time needed to digest food , such as eating while standing, eating in an incorrect posture, or chewing too quickly.

Tips to ease and speed up digestion

If you tend to have digestive problems, take note of these tips to speed up digestion , which will help you prevent all the discomforts we have discussed:

• Improve your diet : try to eat a balanced and healthy diet, increasing the consumption of foods rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals that promote digestive health, such as fruits and vegetables. Also, reduce the consumption of processed, sugary, sweetened and/or high-saturated fat foods.

• Eat slowly and chew well : Digestion begins in the mouth, so it is crucial to chew your food well and eat slowly. This will not only make the digestive process easier, but will also help you enjoy your food more and know when you are full.

• Space out your meals and avoid snacking : try to space out your meals at 3-4 hour intervals and avoid snacking between meals. Also, try to always eat at the same times, so that your body can get used to a constant digestive rhythm, and above all, eat dinner at least two hours before going to bed so that your body has enough time to digest the food.

• Extend your overnight fast : Try to extend your overnight fasting period to 12 hours on a regular basis, so that your digestive system has more time to rest and recover. For example, if you eat breakfast at 8am, try to eat dinner at 8pm.

• Sleep on your left side : It has been proven that sleeping on your left side can promote gastric emptying and help prevent acid reflux, since this position uses gravity to facilitate the passage of food through the digestive system.

• Control your water intake during meals : Although it is important to stay hydrated, try to limit your water intake during meals, as drinking large amounts of water can dilute stomach acids, making digestion difficult. It is best to drink water between meals.

• Use healthy cooking methods : Avoid frying and opt for simpler, healthier cooking methods such as boiling, steaming, roasting or grilling.

• Exercise : Practicing sports can stimulate the digestive system and improve intestinal motility. It is highly recommended to do at least 30 minutes of exercise a day.

• Get enough rest – Adequate rest is essential for good digestive health. Make sure you get 7-8 hours of sleep per night to allow your body to recover and function properly the next day.

Improve your digestion with Gut Day

If you have difficulty digesting and tend to experience heaviness and bloating, try Gut Day by Be Levels and say goodbye to heavy digestion forever through its unique formula specifically designed to improve digestive health.

It is a food supplement with Digezyme and Bromelain that facilitates good digestion in the stomach , preventing heaviness and indigestion after eating, as well as other gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea, excess gas, reflux or constipation.

The product most recommended by our #Belevers , you should take two scoops of Gut Day a day before main meals , and you will notice significant improvements in your digestion from the first days, reducing inflammation after eating and heaviness between meals.