Many people today have a habit of eating while watching TV, surfing the phone or watching online content to relax after work. However, experts believe that this seemingly harmless habit can negatively affect gut health and the digestive system if it lasts for a long time.
According to Ms. Aditi Prasad Apte, clinical nutritionist at Aster RV Hospital (Bangalore, India), the use of electronic devices in meals can distract people from eating. When paying attention to the screen, many people tend to eat faster, chew poorly and find it difficult to recognize when the body is full.
This can lead to overeating, causing bloating, indigestion, heartburn and discomfort after meals. According to experts, conscious eating is an important factor in helping the digestive system function effectively, but distractions from the screen reduce this ability.
In addition, the connection between the brain and the digestive system can also be affected when people are too focused on electronic devices. Under normal conditions, the brain and intestines coordinate to control hunger, fullness and food digestion. However, when eating is not focused, the body may react worse to these natural signals.
Experts also say that watching the screen during meals can cause many people to choose unhealthy foods such as fast food, processed foods or sugary drinks. These foods easily imbalance the gut microbiome and affect digestive health.
Not only that, content that causes stress or strong emotional stimulation when watching while eating can also increase stress hormones in the body. This disrupts the digestive process and can affect intestinal function in the long term.
A study published in 2022 in the journal Nutrients showed that excessive screen use and distracted eating are associated with an unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyle, and a higher risk of obesity.
To protect gut health, experts recommend limiting the use of phones or watching TV during meals. People should eat slowly, chew thoroughly and pay attention to the body's hunger and fullness signals.
In addition, maintaining a quiet dining space, eating on time and building a high-fiber diet can also help the digestive system function better. Foods containing probiotics such as yogurt are also believed to be beneficial for the gut microbiome.
For children, parents should limit children from using screens during meals to form healthy eating habits from an early age.
