Does anyone know if it is healthier to eat standing up?

It makes more sense to eat standing as the bowels are not creased and gravity can work unimpeded.

I know that for social reasons it would be quite awkward to attempt this unless giving a long dinner speech, but for normal home meals why not?

Most animals eat standing.

There is a proverb I believe which says that the Devil stands by those eating standing up, but why would that be?? Perhaps because those who eat standing are rushing and don't have time to sit down.

David

I know that yogis do not advocate standing while eating as it negatively affects the muscles of the digestive tract (humans were meant to eat sitting?). This is in the Hatha Yoga Pradapika and several of the Shiva Shamhita (sp?) texts. I don't know why this is as food stays in the stomach for hours without affecting the bowels - and the torso and its enclosed organs stay in an upright position during both standing and sitting.

I do know the Taoists have a lot of rules and beliefs about body position and bowel elimination. There are even elaborate contraptions which go over the toilet so that you can squat - the alleged more natural way as the bowels are straight up and down - instead of sit during elimination, thus, in theory, using gravity for that purpose.

Personally, I'm too much of a klutz for such things! I'd probably break a leg!

Herbivores typically eat standing up. Carnivores typically eat lying down. So perhaps it depends on what you're eating..

But honestly, I believe your body will "tell" you if you're doing the right thing. I have no problem eating on the run or sitting or even lying down.

People with reflux problems (eg. hiatus hernia) would typically do better standing.. it will help prevent heartburn. And sometimes it is really sociable to be a little bit "on the move" while munching.

Bear in mind that chairs are relatively new inventions.. our ancestors did not sit in this position.. particularly not when eating. Think also of the Japanese way, sitting on the floor.

André