George Costanza famously couldn’t “go left” when trying to make a romantic move.

If Jerry Seinfeld’s TV best bud had the same problem when trying to fall asleep, it would go a long way toward explaining his frequent irritability.

Because which side you sleep on – if you’re a side-sleeper, that is – might make a difference to your health.

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People are less likely to have heartburn when they sleep on their left side than when on their right side or their back, research indicates.

A small study of 10 people found that right-side sleeping “increased heartburn and acid reflux,” states the health-information website Healthline.

That study, “Effect of Different Recumbent Positions on Postprandial Gastroesophageal Reflux in Normal Subjects,” was published back in 2000 – but it’s still being cited in articles and journals.

Left-side sleeping is also believed to be better for pregnant women, as it “improves blood flow between the heart, fetus, uterus and kidneys, while keeping pressure off the liver,” The Sleep Foundation states.

So being able to go left and nod off to sleep causes less stress to some key organs, and it may help digestion and blood flow, aiding bowel movements, the British publication Metro points out.

But the left side isn’t for everyone. The Sleep Foundation states that people with heart issues “might experience discomfort on their left sides and instead prefer to sleep on their right sides.”

And side-sleeping isn’t a cure-all, even on the left. It can worsen shoulder pain and maybe slightly deepen facial wrinkles.

The upshot: Go left — but only if you find it comfortable. For most people, the best outcome is a good night’s sleep, whatever position you’re in.

— Douglas Perry