It turns out that sleeping on the left side may be good for our digestion, our backs, and even our hearts due to the positions of different organs. Here are six potential benefits that may be derived from catching some sleep while lying on your left side.
Why should you sleep on your Left Side? Interestingly, the left side of the body is the dominant lymphatic side. The majority of the body’s lymph fluid drains into the thoracic duct, located on the left side. Along the way, lymph fluid carrying proteins, glucose and other metabolites and waste products is purified by lymph nodes and is then drained into the left side of the heart.
Here are the health benefits of sleeping on the left side:
1.Better digestion
When it comes to digestion, sleeping on the left side may be preferable to the right due to the simple matter of gravity. Specifically, lying on the left side allows food waste to easily move from the large intestine into the descending colon (meaning you’re more likely to have a bowel movement upon waking). Sleeping on the left side also allows the stomah and pancreas to hang naturally (our stomach lies on the left side of the body), which can keep the development of pancreatic enzymes and other digestive processes humming.
2.Better elimination of waste products
The gravitational forces, when you sleep on your left side, make it easy for the food to move from the small intestine to the large intestine. So the waste from the large intestine dumps into the colon gradually and slowly. This makes the colon to be ready to eliminate waste, properly and easily the next morning.
3.Relieves Varicose Veins
Left side sleeping is recommended for those who have problems with varicose veins.
It`s beneficial because it helps take pressure off a large vein which is located on the right side of the body.
4.Relieve back pain
People with chronic back pain must not, and cannot sleep on their backs. It`s probably uncomfortable. Sleeping on your left side can release the pressure on the spine and also reduces back pain.
5.Reduce heartburn
A study published in The Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology found that lying on the left side can help reduce acid reflux symptoms. Again this is because our stomach lies on the left side. Conversely, lying on the right side may aggravate these symptoms. The effects are fairly immediate; if you’re struggling with heartburn after a meal, try taking a 10-minute lie-down on your left side.
NOTE: If you feel heartburn after eating, you can even try lying down on your left side for a 10 minutes for relief.
