Binge eating can be a risk factor for serious health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, anxiety, and depression when other risk factors are present. When you eat, your stomach expands to accommodate what you have consumed. A distended, or full, stomach sends signals to the brain that you are full. Eating too much can cause the stomach to stretch beyond its normal capacity, leading to a feeling of over-fullness. This can lead to pressure and discomfort as stomach contents enter the small intestine.
"In the short term, an excessively large portion of food can cause digestive discomfort and possibly acid reflux, which can be very unpleasant," says nutritionist Lauren Harris-Pincus, MD. — Acid reflux occurs when stomach juice backs up into the esophagus and causes a sour taste or burning sensation. This is especially problematic when food is consumed before bedtime, because lying down worsens the effect and interferes with sleep."
NSpeaking of sleep, "eating more than you're full can also make you feel drowsy or lethargic as the body redirects its attention to digesting excess food," says Harris-Pincus. Blood sugar can also spike, especially if you eat a lot of carbs, says nutritionist Lauren Manaker, MD. Blood sugar (glucose) levels rise after a meal, but refined carbohydrates raise it the most compared to high-fiber carbohydrates or carbohydrates combined with protein and fat.
