You’ve probably heard it before: “Sleep on your left side—it’s better for digestion.” But is this just an old wives’ tale, or is there science behind it?Surprisingly, there’s solid anatomical reasoning showing that left-side sleeping can support smoother digestion, reduce heartburn, and even improve gut motility—especially after meals or for people with acid reflux or IBS.
Your digestive system isn’t symmetrical, and that matters:Sleeping on your left side allows gravity to assist this natural flow, helping food move smoothly and waste travel toward elimination.Your lymphatic system, which helps remove waste and support immunity, drains mainly into the thoracic duct on the left. Some experts suggest that left-side sleeping may help lymphatic flow, indirectly supporting gut health and inflammation balance. (Research is limited, but the idea is intriguing.)
