The stomach is a delicate organ in the human body that many people tend to overlook its importance. Often indulging in excessive eating and drinking, only to think of stomach care when problems arise, but by then, it may be too late to act.
Therefore, it is crucial for everyone to actively adjust their dietary habits in daily life. The saying goes, “Treating stomach diseases relies 30% on medical treatment and 70% on care.” Do you know which fruits can help protect our gastrointestinal health? Let’s find out together.
【What is the stomach】
The stomach is an organ in the human body situated in the upper abdomen below the rib cage, forming part of the digestive system.
Food passes through the mouth, then the esophagus into the stomach for digestion, turning into liquid before entering the small intestine.
The stomach wall consists of 5 layers, with the outermost layer being the serous membrane providing fixed support.
1. Indigestion
To assess the stomach’s function, consider the level of digestion. Frequent indigestion indicates a need for attention as it could signify a decline in stomach function.
In cases of weakened stomach function, once digestion slows significantly, issues such as indigestion become common. Hence, monitoring digestion levels is essential for maintaining stomach health. Early treatment is necessary if any issues arise, ensuring that proper stomach function aids in digestion to prevent long-term indigestion effects on health.
2. Stomach Pain
Discomfort in the stomach manifests in various ways, with stomach pain being the most prevalent, often felt as cramping, burning, or dull pain. Severe stomach pain, especially after a meal, may signify gastric ulcers.
In the case of duodenal ulcers, patients can experience stomach pain even on an empty stomach. If the pain intensifies suddenly, it might indicate a stomach perforation that requires immediate medical attention.
3. Loss of Appetite
Individuals with stomach issues often experience a decrease in appetite, showing reluctance to eat at mealtimes or consuming very little food.
Even when hungry, they eat very small portions. Post-meal, they may feel bloated, experience belching, and acid reflux.
4. Weight Loss
Weight loss is a sign of abnormal gastrointestinal function, as stomach issues can hinder overall digestion. Impaired digestion leads to inadequate absorption and metabolism, resulting in malnutrition and reduced daily energy supply to the body.
Therefore, weight loss can occur rapidly, suggesting potential gastrointestinal issues causing these symptoms.
5. Frequent Heartburn
Although heartburn is a colloquial term, it primarily indicates a burning sensation in the heart region, often associated with gastric ailments. Poorly digested food can lead to heartburn, accompanied by acid reflux and nausea or vomiting in severe cases.
1. Psychological Stress
Stress, anxiety, or anger can trigger adverse emotions that affect the stomach through the brain’s cortex into the autonomic nervous system, causing issues like gastric blood vessel spasms and pyloric spasm.
Excessive secretion of stomach acid and pepsin due to stress can damage the stomach’s mucous membrane, leading to digestive system impairments. Individuals with depression are more prone to developing ulcers and similar conditions.
2. Preference for Hot Foods
Consuming excessively hot foods can harm the stomach lining, potentially causing ulcers. The digestive tract lining is delicate and can withstand temperatures of about 50-60 degrees Celsius.
Frequent consumption of foods hotter than this range can chronically damage the lining, ultimately leading to gastric cancer.
3. Smoking and Alcohol Consumption
Smoke from cigarettes not only enters the lungs but also the digestive tract due to the structural connection between the respiratory and digestive systems. Nicotine in the smoke directly irritates the stomach lining, resulting in hypoxia and ischemia.
Continued exposure can lead to gastric ulcers. Prolonged alcohol consumption has similar effects but with more profound damage to the stomach lining.
4. Speaking While Eating or Heavy Flavors
Eating hastily or conversing while eating leads to swallowing excess air, causing indigestion. Poorly chewed food increases the stomach’s workload.
Frequent consumption of pickled and grilled foods raises the risk of tumors. High salt content and excessive consumption of spicy foods can irritate the stomach lining, increasing the likelihood of lesions.
5. Skipping Breakfast
Many believe reducing caloric intake aids in weight loss, leading to skipping breakfast. However, this habit is detrimental to stomach health, potentially causing stomach disorders.
When no breakfast is consumed, stomach acid secretion continues, irritating the stomach lining. This scenario significantly heightens the risk of gastric ulcers and gastritis. Hence, maintaining regular meal times is crucial to prevent stomach damage.
6. Eating Late-Night Snacks
During late-night work, individuals often stay up late and develop hunger pangs, resorting to late-night snacking to satisfy their hunger.
Grilled foods are a common choice for late-night snacks but are high in seasoning and calorie content. Consuming such foods before bedtime can burden the stomach overnight, adversely affecting gastrointestinal health.
1. Pomegranate
What substances can help repair damaged stomach mucosa? Amino acids are the most common, and pomegranates are rich in amino acids, making them stomach-friendly. Pomegranates not only aid digestion but also repair stomach mucosa, promoting beauty and skincare.
2. Papaya
The stomach-nourishing benefits of papaya are often overlooked but beneficial for spleen and stomach health. For stomach health, it’s best to choose papaya, particularly the southern-grown variety, which can be eaten raw or used in soups.
Papaya contains abundant papain enzymes, aiding in protein breakdown and relieving indigestion. It’s advisable not to consume papaya on an empty stomach, making it ideal for stewing.
3. Pineapple
Pineapples are sweet and mild and have stomach-tonifying and digestion-aiding properties. Pineapple fruit contains high levels of vitamin C – up to 30 mg per 100g – and is rich in water content, beneficial for nephritis and hypertensive patients.
Similar to papaya, pineapple contains an enzyme that breaks down proteins, promoting meat tenderness and blood clot digestion. Excessive consumption can be harmful to the stomach.
4. Grapes
Grapes are rich in tartaric acid and vitamin P, regulating the intestines and stomach. Tartaric acid helps in digestive absorption, cleansing intestinal toxins, and exhibits good antibacterial properties against bacteria like E. coli.
Vitamin P reduces stomach acid toxicity, providing relief for gastritis, enteritis, and vomiting symptoms.
5. Apple
Apples are a widely known fruit with numerous health benefits, often referred to as “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
Rich in dietary fiber, apples promote bowel movements, aid in stomach qi, and prevent constipation.
To maximize the stomach-nourishing effects of apples, consider cooking them as this increases pectin content, effectively absorbing and cleansing toxins, promoting overall health.
6. Strawberries
Strawberries are documented in ancient Chinese medicine texts for their lung-nourishing, spleen-stomach strengthening, blood-supplementing, and qi-enhancing qualities, ideal for the elderly, children, and those with weak constitutions.
Strawberries have a balanced nutritional profile, containing 10 times the vitamin C found in watermelon, grapes, or apples of equal weight.
However, individuals with deficient spleen and stomach or cold lung issues should avoid excess strawberry consumption. If intake is desired, soak strawberries in lightly salted water for about 10 minutes before rinsing with clean water for consumption.
