10 December 2025 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Acidity, or acid reflux, has long been associated with eating spicy, oily, or heavy foods. However, new medical insights suggest that your diet may not always be the main cause. According to leading gastroenterologists, prolonged sitting hours—especially among office workers—may significantly contribute to recurring acidity, sometimes even more than rich or unhealthy food.
The revelation comes at a time when digestive issues are steadily rising across age groups in India. With work-from-home setups, long desk hours, and reduced physical activity becoming the norm, doctors now say it’s time to rethink what’s really causing chronic acidity.
Acidity No Longer Just a Food Problem
For years, most people believed that acidity stemmed from poor eating habits, late-night meals, or too much coffee. While these factors do play a role, specialists say they are not always the primary triggers.
Dr. Sunil Mehra, a gastroenterologist at a leading Delhi hospital, explains that long hours of sitting can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)—the muscle that prevents stomach acid from entering the food pipe. When the LES becomes weak or strained, even mild stomach acid can easily move upward, leading to heartburn, burning sensation, bloating, and discomfort.
He adds that inactivity slows down digestion. “When you don’t move for hours, the food stays longer in the stomach, producing more acid. This can worsen symptoms in individuals who are already prone to acid reflux.”
Why Sitting for Long Is Harmful
Doctors highlight several ways prolonged sitting increases acidity:
1. Slows down metabolism and digestion
When the body is inactive, digestive processes become sluggish. Food takes more time to break down, leading to gas build-up and acid reflux.
2. Compresses the abdomen
Sitting for long—especially with a bad posture—can put pressure on abdominal organs. This pushes stomach acid upward into the esophagus, causing burning and discomfort.
3. Increases abdominal fat
A sedentary lifestyle promotes fat accumulation around the belly. This extra fat increases pressure on the stomach, worsening reflux.
4. Reduces overall mobility
Movement helps push food down the digestive tract. The absence of physical activity leads to acid pooling in the stomach.
These risks are higher for people who work at desks, drive long distances daily, or spend extended hours watching screens without breaks.
Diet Still Matters, But It Isn’t Always the Main Trigger
Dr. Mehra emphasizes that rich or spicy food gets blamed excessively, sometimes unnecessarily. “A healthy person with good digestion and active routine may not experience acidity even after eating heavy meals occasionally. On the other hand, a person who sits continuously for 8–10 hours may get acidity even with simple food.”
This means acidity is often a lifestyle disorder rather than a dietary disorder.
Doctors also warn that people who take frequent antacids without addressing lifestyle factors might only be masking the symptoms temporarily.
Who Is Most at Risk?
The rise in acidity cases is particularly seen among:
- IT professionals
- Students preparing for long hours
- Drivers and cab operators
- Remote workers
- Call center employees
- Corporate desk workers
Many of them report recurring acidity despite eating home-cooked meals.
Simple Lifestyle Changes That Can Help
Experts recommend incorporating small yet effective habits to improve digestion:
1. Take movement breaks every 45 minutes
Even 2–3 minutes of walking helps activate digestion and reduces pressure on the abdomen.
2. Maintain good posture
Keeping the spine straight reduces abdominal compression.
3. Avoid lying down immediately after meals
Wait at least 2–3 hours after dinner before going to bed.
4. Stay hydrated
Adequate water helps neutralize stomach acid.
5. Eat smaller, frequent meals
Smaller portions reduce the amount of acid the stomach produces at one time.
6. Add more fiber
Fiber-rich foods help regulate digestion and prevent gas formation.
7. Limit caffeine, smoking, and processed foods
These can worsen reflux, especially in people with a weak LES.
When Should You See a Doctor?
If acidity occurs more than twice a week, even after lifestyle modifications, it may indicate GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). Persistent symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, chronic cough, chest discomfort, or unexplained weight loss require medical evaluation.
Doctors also caution that recurrent acidity should never be ignored as, in rare cases, long-term acid exposure can damage the esophagus.
The Bottom Line
Acidity is no longer just about what’s on your plate. As work culture evolves, sedentary lifestyle factors—especially extended sitting hours—are becoming major triggers. By addressing posture, movement, and daily activity levels, individuals can significantly reduce symptoms and improve digestive health.
Summary
Doctors reveal that prolonged sitting, not always rich food, is a major cause of recurring acidity. Sedentary habits slow digestion, weaken muscles, and trigger reflux. Simple activity-based changes can significantly improve symptoms.