The Strange Thing That Happens To Your Digestion When You Stop Wearing This Type Of Underwear

If we've learned anything from skinny pants syndrome or the negative effect of waist trainers, it is to not compress our internal organs by what we're wearing. Shapewear can help you achieve nice curves, but there really is a concern with what happens to your body when you wear tight clothing every day.

Sometimes, even if we were paying attention to wearing comfortable clothing when it comes to outer layers, we may not think twice about putting on underwear that's a size too small for us. But tight underwear can wreak havoc on your body too, starting with pressure marks on your skin and general discomfort throughout the day. 

Something strange (and beneficial) that happens when you stop wearing tight underwear has to do with your digestion — it improves. If you're experiencing heartburn, acid reflux, and other indigestion symptoms, switching to better-fitting undergarments can help. "Tight-fitting clothes have the capacity, when 'too tight,' to put additional stress on the stomach and intestines," explained registered dietician Michelle Rauch (via Healthline). Consistent and long-term wear of really tight clothes can even lead to esophagitis, added the expert. Esophagitis is inflammation in your esophagus and one of the reasons for it to develop is acid reflux. Improved digestion from not wearing constrictive clothing is especially a plus for those with gastrointestinal issues. 

For people with health concerns related to their gastrointestinal tract — like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Chron's, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) — the digestion process isn't always easy or clear-cut. Bloating, acid reflux, and heartburn are common symptoms when you have digestion issues, and wearing tight underwear can just make things worse.  

In fact, one of the things you shouldn't do if you have IBS is wear tight clothing, especially when you're experiencing a flare, per a physician specializing in chronic gastro conditions at Salvo Health, Dr. Erin Hendriks (via PopSugar). "People who suffer from chronic gastrointestinal conditions like IBS often have good days and bad days ... if you are already experiencing bloating or abdominal discomfort," tight clothes aren't going to make anything better, explained the expert. 

A good rule of thumb is to check if the undergarments you wear are leaving marks on your skin. If they are, they're probably too tight for you. 

What happens when you stop wearing tight underclothes is that you might be able to pay less attention to the foods you're consuming. This is not to say that you should be eating anything and any amount just because you avoided wearing your constrictive undies to dinner, but it does allow room for flexibility. 

As explained by Jamie Koufman, New York City-based reflux specialist and author of "Dropping Acid: The Reflux Diet Cookbook and Cure," overeating is a big no when you're wearing unyielding clothes. Compression underwear might mean you have to stick with smaller portion sizes to avoid acid reflux (via Everyday Health). While it's always a good idea to practice portion control and make healthy choices, wearing tight intimate things is probably not the way to go about it. 

Finally, keep in mind that better digestion is not the only thing that happens when you stop wearing leggings and other tight undergarments. You can also avoid health concerns like yeast infections and nerve compression.

If you're wondering how tight is too tight, the answer is going to depend on your particular body shape. While the occasional one-size-too-small undies aren't a big deal, try and go for underwear that allows room for movement and doesn't leave dents and red marks on your skin, per Healthline. If there's tingling or numbness, you definitely know you've taken things too far.