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That makes left-side sleeping a reasonable lifestyle strategy for some people with nighttime GERD.
But it is not the only one.
Elevating the Upper Body Can Help Too
Sleep position works best as one part of a larger reflux strategy.
Evidence-based guidance also supports elevating the head of the bed for some people with nighttime reflux.
Leaving several hours between the evening meal and bedtime may help as well.
A consensus review recommends left-side sleeping, head-of-bed elevation and avoiding lying down soon after eating for people with nighttime reflux-like symptoms.
So someone struggling with heartburn may benefit more from combining several habits rather than relying on one position alone.
And there is an important point here.
If heartburn happens frequently, is severe, causes difficulty swallowing or keeps returning despite lifestyle changes, it deserves medical evaluation.
Sleep position can help symptoms.
It does not diagnose or cure every cause of reflux.
2. Side Sleeping Can Be Helpful During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is another situation in which sleeping position becomes more important.
As pregnancy progresses, lying flat on the back can allow the weight of the uterus to compress major blood vessels.
That may reduce venous return and can make the pregnant person feel dizzy.
For this reason, major medical guidance recommends side sleeping later in pregnancy.
But here is where a common online claim needs correcting.
It does not have to be the left side every night.
ACOG specifically notes that people can sleep on either the left or right side during pregnancy.
The important distinction later in pregnancy is side versus back, not left versus right.
NHS guidance similarly advises going to sleep on either side after 28 weeks rather than on the back.
So left-side sleeping is an option.