Maybe we’ll leave those shapewear pants in the closet more often from now on…
Shapewear has taken a prominent place in the wardrobe of many of us. This shapewear gives you the perfect contours and smooths everything out nicely. But this beautiful streamlined appearance should of course not be at the expense of our health, because is the use of shapewear actually as innocent as it seems?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
If you suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), wearing shapewear may not be the best choice for you. People with IBS often experience discomfort such as pain and bloating, and tight clothing can aggravate these complaints.
Nutritional therapist Anna Mapson warns wearing tight clothing can cause problems for people suffering from IBS. “Clothes with a tight waistband can have an impact on your digestion. This can lead to gas, bloating and abdominal cramps,” she explains to Stylist. For people with IBS, who are often hypersensitive to these complaints, this can result in even more pain and discomfort.
Digestion and immune system
But even if you don’t suffer from IBS, caution is advised when using shapewear, according to Mapson. “If your digestion is continuously slowed down for months due to the tight clothing you wear, it can lead to an overgrowth of bacteria in your small intestine. This can be treated with antibiotics or supplements, but it often takes quite a long time for the problem to be completely resolved,” she warns.
In addition, wearing tight outfits can compromise the immune system because these clothes prevent waste from being effectively removed by the lymph nodes. This allows harmful substances to accumulate in the body, which increases the risk of infections.
Skinny jeans
We should also be careful with skinny jeans, according to experts. These models often have a tight waistband that presses exactly on the spot where the small intestine is located. This is where most of the digestive process takes place. When this process is disrupted, you are at greater risk of feeling uncomfortable and bloated.
Mapson therefore advises not to wear tight clothing on days when you know you will be active, eat a hearty meal, or sit a lot. She emphasizes the importance of sufficient ‘space’ to expand a bit. So maybe it’s time to keep those skinny jeans and shapewear pants in the closet more often from now on…
Source: Elegance, Marie Claire | Image: Adobe Stock
