Nearly nine in ten Irish men will over-eat this Christmas and consume 6,000 calories

It is known as the season of over-indulgence and Irish men push that theory to the extreme with research finding that 88 per cent will over-eat this Christmas Day.

The survey carried out on behalf of indigestion medicine Maalox Plus showed that only one in ten plan on not over-eating this Christmas Day. The rest of the male population are expected to consume a whopping 6,000 calories over the course of the day, nearly three times as much as the average-day intake.

A combination of turkey, ham, mince pies, Christmas pudding and selection boxes will have up to 41 per cent of all males suffering from indigestion and heart-burn, with those over 35 most at risk.

Maalox Plus is an indigestion remedy that comes in tablet and liquid form and will be useful for all those planning on big food intakes this Christmas. Just remember, consumers should always read the label first.

It comes in a tasty lemon flavour and works by neutralising the excess acid in the oesophagus and the stomach, soothing the pain, giving fast & effective relief from heartburn & indigestion with long-lasting activity.

Here are some tips to help reduce the chances of heartburn:

1. Chew your food thoroughly and eat slowly. This is the first stage of the body’s digestive process.
2. Try not to eat and talk at the same time. You can swallow air which may add to bloating and trapped wind.
3. Try to avoid drinking too much alcohol as alcohol can trigger heartburn if taken in excess
4. Do not slump in front of the TV immediately after eating a heavy Christmas meal as this will increase heartburn symptoms. Taking a gentle walk after eating will reduce the risk of heartburn and aid digestion.