Due to the faster pace of modern life and increased work pressure, about seventy to eighty percent of people are in a sub-healthy state with their stomachs, experiencing symptoms like stomach pain, bloating, acid reflux, and loss of appetite. However, most people may think that their stomach only has a slight problem or is completely healthy without much consideration. In reality, perhaps your stomach is not as healthy as you think! Our illnesses are not caused overnight but rather accumulate over time due to various negative factors. Therefore, health preservation is crucial.
Experts remind us: when taking care of the intestines and stomach, it is essential to pay attention to the following three points.
Point 1: Maintain regular dietary habits
Many people cannot control their diet properly. They tend to overeat when they like the food and eat less or even skip meals when they don’t. They completely disregard their stomach’s well-being. This behavior can easily disrupt the peristalsis function of the stomach, leading to nerve function abnormalities in the stomach wall, affecting gastric juice secretion, and potentially causing gastritis and gastric ulcers. Therefore, in daily life, our diet should follow the principles of regularity in timing and quantity, avoiding excessive eating. For individuals with stomach issues, it is advisable to eat smaller meals more frequently to reduce the burden on the stomach and prevent overstretching. With more meal times, there will be a small amount of food in the stomach regularly, which can neutralize excessive stomach acid.
Point 2: Maintain dietary hygiene
When eating, it is essential to chew slowly and thoroughly to allow food to be properly ground in the mouth and mixed with saliva. This practice reduces the stomach’s workload and aids in better digestion. Additionally, it is advisable to avoid consuming spicy foods and abstain from alcohol and smoking. Alcohol and smoking pose greater risks to the stomach, as nicotine in tobacco is highly stimulating to the stomach, slowing down food digestion and increasing gastric acid secretion, worsening conditions like gastritis and gastric ulcers. Drinking alcohol, especially on an empty stomach, can be more harmful to individuals with stomach issues, as ethanol in alcohol significantly stimulates the gastric mucosa, leading to strong contractions and expansions in the stomach, which can easily cause gastric bleeding or perforation, even posing life-threatening risks.
Point 3: Maintain a happy mindset
It is often said that being angry can cause stomach pain, indicating a significant correlation between stomach health and psychological factors. Excessive mental stress, such as constant sadness, depression, anxiety, and fear, can lead to dysfunction in the cerebral cortex, causing disruptions in our neural functions and resulting in spasmodic contractions of the stomach wall blood vessels, potentially triggering gastritis and gastric ulcers. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain a cheerful mood, optimistic outlook, strong will, and be adept at liberating oneself from dilemmas.
Individuals with severe stomach conditions should consume nutritious and easily digestible soft foods regularly. Examples include noodles, rice porridge, milk, and if available, a bit more honey.
1. Millet porridge
Millet porridge is mild in nature, easy to digest, and can regulate the spleen and stomach, alleviate symptoms like vomiting, acid reflux, and nausea, providing effective relief for weak spleen and poor digestion. However, millet tends to be slightly cool, so individuals with a cold constitution should consume it in moderation.
2. Noodle soup
Eating noodles can be beneficial for stomach health as noodles primarily consist of alkaline substances that help neutralize gastric acid, making the stomach feel more comfortable after consumption. It is important to choose plain noodle soups with added vegetables for better nutrition.
3. Milk
Milk is rich in proteins and can supplement nutrition, energy, calcium, and contribute to gastrointestinal health protection. Drinking a glass of milk daily can form a protective layer in the stomach, guarding against stomach diseases. However, try to avoid drinking milk on an empty stomach or during stomach discomfort, as the nutrients in milk may not be easily absorbed by the body under such conditions, potentially causing diarrhea.
4. Honey
Honey has various benefits, such as tonifying the spleen and stomach, nourishing the intestines and lungs, detoxification, inhibiting gastric acid secretion, and promoting ulcer healing. Consuming 25 grams of honey on an empty stomach in the morning and evening can help regulate gastrointestinal functions.
Treating stomach diseases emphasizes a balance between treatment and nourishment. It is crucial to prioritize treatment while incorporating dietary therapy and maintenance for optimal recovery from stomach issues.
