How late-night eating can damage your digestive system – The Hindu

lipped from: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/how-late-night-eating-can-damage-your-digestive-system/article70401915.ece

Late-night meals disturb the normal rhythm of digestion, increase exposure to stomach acid, and delay gastric emptying, all of which, over time, could cause serious gastrointestinal issues. Having healthy, balanced meals on time is crucial for gut health

When food enters the stomach when it is winding down at the end of the day, the resultant acid surge and slowed digestion provide a perfect environment for inflammation, ulcers, and, in severe cases, consequences that may necessitate surgical intervention. Image used for representational purposes only | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Late-night snacking has quietly grown common in many households in our country. Extended work hours, erratic sleep cycles, and the ready availability of fast food have made eating beyond 10 p.m. virtually a way of life for some. While the practice may seem innocuous, the fact is that the digestive system behaves differently in the night to the way it does in the day, making awareness crucial to prevent gastrointestinal issues. .

What happens in the stomach

When food enters the stomach when it is winding down at the end of the day, the resultant acid surge and slowed digestion provide a perfect environment for inflammation, ulcers, and, in severe cases, consequences that may necessitate surgical intervention.

Acid is continuously generated by the stomach during the day, with production decreasing when night approaches. When you eat heavy, greased or processed food late at night, the stomach is forced to produce more acid at an hour when its defenses are at their weakest. Repeated exposure to this imbalance can weaken the mucosal lining of the stomach and duodenum. Over time, this could end in bleeding, blockage, gastritis, or peptic ulcers—conditions that, if left untreated, can necessitate surgery or other medical treatments.

A case study

A 24-year-old woman who had been experiencing diffuse, ongoing stomach discomfort for about a month came in to the hospital. She had established a habit of consuming chips, ice cream, and packaged snacks well beyond 10 p.m. at night. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was the first step in the investigation. The scope showed an ulcer in the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine that receives food from the stomach and controls acid production, as well as apparent inflammation inside the stomach.

During the endoscopy, a Rapid Urease Test (RUT) was used to identify the underlying cause. Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium known to thrive in acidic conditions and cause most duodenal ulcers in India, was identified by the test. When paired with irregular eating schedules, this bacterial infection can exacerbate symptoms including discomfort, bloating, nausea, and disrupted sleep. It also further damages the lining of the stomach and small intestine.

The patient was given anti-H. pylori treatment. The symptoms started to go away in a matter of weeks, and a follow-up assessment revealed progress. Early action prevented the development of more severe consequences including bleeding ulcers or perforations, which can both require immediate surgery.

Eat on time, eat healthy

Research has indicated that late-night meals disturb the normal rhythm of digestion, increase exposure to stomach acid, and delay gastric emptying. The risk increases for those who already have gastritis or an H. pylori infection. Chronic irritation can lead to consequences such as strictures, which constrict the duodenum, or perforations, which occur when an ulcer penetrates the intestinal wall. These conditions can have serious long-term repercussions including the need for surgical treatment.

The digestive system has its own internal clock. Those midnight snacks may trigger a chain reaction of inflammation and ulcer development when that clock is disturbed. The fundamental lesson remains the same: eat healthy balanced meals, on time, do not strain the digestive system, and if there is a problem, seek early medical help.

(Dr. Aditya Girish Borawake is a consultant in medical gastroenterology at Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, Pune. aditya.borawake@manipalhospitals.com)