The stomach is a delicate organ in the human body, but its importance is often overlooked by most people. Many tend to overeat and drink excessively, only thinking about stomach health when issues arise – but at that point, it may be too late.
Therefore, in daily life, it is crucial to actively adjust dietary habits. They say treating stomach diseases is 3 parts medical treatment and 7 parts nourishment. 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 our body, mainly located in the upper abdomen, below the ribs. It is part of the digestive system.
Food enters through the mouth, passes through the esophagus into the stomach, where digestion occurs, turning food into liquid before entering the small intestine.
The stomach wall consists of 5 layers, the outermost being the serous layer, with a fixed function.
1. Indigestion
To assess stomach function, you can gauge it by digestion capability. Persistent indigestion should be taken seriously, as it may indicate declining stomach function.
Some individuals may have a weakened stomach function, leading to slow digestion and difficulties like indigestion. Monitoring digestion capability regularly is essential for stomach health. In case of illness, prompt treatment is necessary. Normal stomach function is crucial for efficient food digestion to avoid long-term health issues.
2. Stomach Pain
Stomach discomfort can manifest in various forms, with stomach pain being the most common – ranging from cramping, burning sensation, to dull pains. In the case of stomach ulcers, the pain is often severe, especially after meals.
In cases of duodenal ulcers, pain may occur on an empty stomach. Sudden intensification of pain could indicate gastric perforation, requiring immediate medical attention.
3. Loss of Appetite
People with stomach issues may experience reduced appetite, showing disinterest in eating during meal times, eating very little even when hungry, or feeling bloated, burping, and acid reflux after meals.
4. Weight Loss
Weight loss is a sign of abnormal gastrointestinal function. When stomach and intestinal problems arise, it can affect overall digestion. Impaired digestion leads to inadequate nutrient absorption, causing malnutrition and decreased energy supply to the body daily. This can result in rapid weight loss, hinting at potential gastrointestinal issues.
5. Heartburn
Heartburn is a colloquial term for a burning sensation in the chest area which is a common symptom of stomach problems. Poor food digestion can easily lead to heartburn, accompanied by acid reflux and nausea.
1. Psychological Stress
Intense emotions like stress, anxiety, or anger can affect stomach health by triggering adverse reactions in the nervous system, leading to issues like gastric vascular spasm and pylorus spasm. Increased gastric acid and pepsin secretion can damage the stomach mucosal protection, causing digestive system damage. Individuals with depression are at higher risk of developing ulcers and related conditions.
2. Preference for Hot Foods
Consuming excessively hot food can harm the stomach lining, potentially leading to gastric ulcers. The digestive tract’s mucosa is delicate and can tolerate temperatures of about 50-60 degrees Celsius. Regularly consuming food hotter than this can damage the lining, increasing the risk of gastric cancer.
3. Smoking and Alcohol Consumption
Smoking not only affects the lungs but can also harm the stomach through the digestive pathway since the respiratory and digestive tracts are connected. Nicotine in smoke can directly irritate the stomach lining, causing hypoxia and ischemia. Prolonged smoking can easily lead to gastric ulcers, while long-term alcohol consumption further exacerbates stomach mucosal damage.
4. Talking While Eating or Eating Spicy Foods
Eating quickly or talking while eating can lead to swallowing excess air, causing indigestion and adding to the stomach’s burden by not chewing food thoroughly. Additionally, frequent consumption of pickled and grilled foods increases the risk of tumors. A high-salt diet and consuming spicy foods can irritate the stomach lining, increasing the risk of lesions.
5. Skipping Breakfast
Many people believe reducing calorie intake, including skipping breakfast, aids in weight loss. However, skipping breakfast is detrimental to stomach function, potentially leading to stomach issues. When food intake is absent, the stomach secretes acid, which can irritate the stomach lining, significantly increasing the likelihood of ulcers and gastritis. Regular and timely meals are crucial to maintaining stomach health and avoiding potential harm.
6. Late-Night Eating Habits
People working late into the night may resort to eating late-night snacks to satisfy hunger, often opting for barbecue dishes. However, such snacks are high in additives and calories. Eating heavy meals before bedtime can overload the stomach, posing risks to gastrointestinal health.
1. Pomegranate
Which substances can help repair damaged stomach mucosa? Amino acids, commonly found in pomegranates, are beneficial for the stomach. Pomegranates not only aid digestion but also repair stomach mucosa, promoting beauty and skin health.
2. Papaya
The stomach-nourishing effects of papayas are often overlooked, but they provide excellent support for spleen and stomach health. It’s best to choose pawpaws if consumed for stomach nourishment, particularly the southern-grown varieties. These papayas can be eaten raw or boiled for soups. Pawpaws are rich in proteases that assist in protein breakdown to alleviate indigestion. Nevertheless, it’s advisable not to consume papayas on an empty stomach – stewing them is an excellent option.
3. Pineapple
Pineapples, with their sweet and mild flavor, aid stomach digestion, spleen strengthening, diarrhea control, and thirst quenching. With high vitamin C content per 100 grams, pineapples are rich in water, beneficial for individuals with kidney and hypertension issues. Like papayas, pineapples contain enzymes that aid protein digestion by softening meat and disintegrating blood clots. However, excessive consumption can be harmful to the stomach.
4. Grapes
Grapes are rich in citric acid and vitamin P, regulating the intestines and stomach effectively. The fruit acid components in grapes aid in digestion and absorption, cleansing the gastrointestinal system of toxins and having good antibacterial effects against bacteria like E. coli. Vitamin P reduces gastric acid toxicity, providing relief for gastritis, enteritis, and vomiting.
5. Apple
Apples, well-known for their varied health benefits, are often described as “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Apples are rich in dietary fiber, stimulating intestinal motility, tonifying Qi, and benefitting digestion. To harness optimal stomach-nourishing effects, consider cooking apples as this increases their pectin content, efficiently cleaning toxic substances from the gastrointestinal tract, promoting overall health.
6. Strawberries
According to the “Compendium of Materia Medica,” strawberries can moisten the lungs, invigorate the spleen and stomach, nourish blood, and replenish Qi, making them a great tonic for the elderly, children, and those with weak constitutions. Strawberries offer a balanced nutritional profile, with vitamin C content 10 times higher than watermelon, grapes, or apples. However, individuals with weak spleen and cold lung conditions should not consume excessive strawberries. If consumed, soak strawberries in lightly salted water for around 10 minutes and rinse thoroughly with clean water before consumption.
