The usual sitting posture (legs crossed and slightly hunched) is not beneficial for the body at all. And it’s not just about posture or blood circulation. It turns out that the body’s position while eating can directly affect the health of the digestive system and even the gut microbiome.
According to Dr. Alvaro Campillo, a gastroenterologist and one of Europe’s leading experts on the microbiome, the link between posture and gut health is not only surprising but also has a clear scientific basis. The microbiome—that vast community of microorganisms living in the digestive tract—does much more than just help digest food. It plays a crucial role in immunity, skin condition, and even mental well-being.
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Posture and Microbiome: What’s the Connection?
“There is a direct link between poor posture and the microbiota, manifested through three factors: slowed intestinal transit (a risk factor for SIBO—small intestinal bacterial overgrowth); increased gas accumulation and production; and reduced oxygenation of the digestive tract. The latter impairs the protective mechanisms of the digestive system, whose first line of defense is the microbiota,” explains Dr. Campillo.
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There is also an indirect effect. “Poor posture often leads to reduced muscle mass, which in turn contributes to increased inflammation and the accumulation of free radicals in the body,” adds the expert. If you think about it, this connection seems perfectly logical. When a person slumps, the chest and abdominal cavities are compressed, hindering both proper breathing and digestion. According to Campillo, this also reduces tissue oxygenation and can impair the function of the vagus nerve, which plays a key role in regulating digestive processes.
“Furthermore, it slows down the movement of food through the intestines, leading to bloating, heartburn, reflux, constipation, and increasing the risk of microbiome imbalance,” notes the doctor.
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Ideal Posture for Healthy Digestion
For those who are already adding probiotics to their diet, monitoring fiber intake, and trying to dine earlier for gut health, proper posture should definitely be added to this list of wellness habits.
To achieve this, Dr. Campillo recommends sitting as upright as possible while eating: with relaxed shoulders, a straight back, and both feet on the floor. The main goal is to allow the body to breathe freely and digest food without unnecessary tension. “Some studies show that gas accumulation is 10 times lower when a person sits upright compared to when they slouch,” emphasizes the expert. “This ensures greater comfort during digestion and promotes better overall well-being after meals.”
All of this serves as a great reminder: digestion is influenced not only by the composition of meals. Body position, breathing, and the ritual of eating itself shape this experience. And sometimes, the path to a healthy gut doesn’t start with a new superfood, but with the simple habit of straightening your back.
Based on material from: Vogue.com