If you often find yourself dealing with bloating, acidity, or restless nights, your favourite food habits might be to blame. A dietician says she regularly meets people who are puzzled by their digestive troubles, only to discover that two common habits sit at the root of the problem: eating very spicy food and having meals too late at night.
According to her, spicy dishes get their fiery kick from a compound that can irritate the stomach when eaten in excess. While a moderate amount of spice can actually be good for the body, overdoing it may upset the digestive system, especially for those with sensitive stomachs or existing gut issues. This irritation can increase stomach acid, making heartburn and acid reflux more likely, particularly if you lie down soon after eating. For some people, spicy food can also aggravate the gut lining, leading to discomfort, nausea, or changes in bowel movements.
She also points out that timing plays a huge role in digestion. As the day winds down, the body naturally prepares for rest, and digestion slows along with it. Eating heavy, spicy, or rich meals late at night forces the digestive system to stay active when it should be calming down. This extra effort not only leads to indigestion and bloating but can also interfere with sleep, creating a cycle where poor rest and gut problems feed into each other.
Late-night eating, she explains, throws off the body’s natural rhythm. The result is often a feeling of heaviness that doesn’t just disappear by morning, leaving people uncomfortable well into the next day.
The good news is that you don’t have to completely give up the foods you love. The dietician suggests being mindful of when you eat them. Finishing dinner a few hours before bedtime gives your stomach time to do its job before you lie down. If you’re craving spicy food, it’s better to enjoy it earlier in the day or at an early dinner. Pairing spicy dishes with calming foods like yogurt or rice can also help ease the strain on your gut and keep your digestion on track.
