White porridge and milk are good for the stomach? Don’t believe these 4 stomach-nourishing misunderstandings anymore!

Chinese people know how to eat and are even better at keeping healthy. The way to keep healthy is to eat first. The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine says: "Five grains are for nourishment, fruit is for assistance, five animals are for benefit, and five vegetables are for filling. Take them together with their flavors to replenish essence and qi." This can be understood as taking food as nourishment, following nature, absorbing essence, and promoting health and longevity.

The stomach, also known as the "sea of ​​water and food", is not only a temporary storage place for food, but also an important digestive organ. Studies have shown that due to factors such as genetics, diet, and pathogenic bacteria, the number of people suffering from stomach diseases in my country is as high as 120 million, and in recent years, it has become younger and more common. At present, the trend of "food nourishment" is prevalent, and many people try to "nourish the stomach" with food. There are many wrong methods among them, which will aggravate stomach diseases!

01

Myth: Porridge is easy to digest, so it nourishes the stomach

Analysis: False. Long-term consumption of porridge will not only weaken the digestive function, but may also aggravate certain stomach diseases.

The "gelatinization effect" of starchy foods such as rice during cooking makes them easier to digest and absorb, which is more friendly to groups with weak digestive functions such as young children and the elderly. But for ordinary people, eating too soft food is like becoming "stupid" if you don't think about things with your brain. Over time, it will make the stomach more "lazy" and even cause a decline in digestive function. For people who suffer from excessive gastric acid secretion, gastroesophageal reflux, ulcers and gastric perforation, drinking porridge will increase gastric acid secretion and aggravate their condition. Moreover, due to the gelatinization effect, porridge has a higher glycemic index and is not suitable for people with unstable blood sugar control. In addition, the nutrition in porridge is mainly carbohydrates. Long-term consumption will lead to a lack of other nutrients, which is not good for health.

Copyrighted stock images, no reproduction is authorized

02

Rumor: Drinking milk can protect the gastric mucosa

Analysis: False. Drinking milk cannot form a lasting protective film in the stomach.

Some people believe that the protein in milk will spread on the stomach wall to form a protective film, which can relieve acid reflux and bloating. This is not true. The protein in milk will quickly coagulate into countless small particles under the action of gastric acid, which cannot completely cover the surface of the stomach and cannot play the so-called protective film role. For those with excessive gastric acid secretion, the dilution effect of milk is only temporary, and the effect is no different from other foods , but it will further stimulate the secretion of gastric acid.

Copyrighted stock images, no reproduction is authorized

03

Myth: Eating small and frequent meals is the best for your stomach

Analysis: Inaccurate. Eating small, frequent meals is not suitable for everyone and may disrupt the "biological clock" of the digestive system.

Eating small meals frequently can reduce the pressure on the stomach to work at one time to a certain extent, and is more suitable for people with weak gastrointestinal function, such as children and the elderly. For ordinary people, the habit of eating three meals a day developed over the years has shaped a relatively fixed rhythm of gastrointestinal movement and digestive juice secretion. The result of breaking it at will is gastrointestinal dysfunction. Moreover, the habit of eating three meals a day is more convenient for daily work, and eating while working is worse for the stomach.

04

Rumor: Eating soda crackers regularly can nourish the stomach

Analysis: False. Soda crackers cannot completely neutralize stomach acid, but may aggravate the condition.

Soda crackers are made crispier by adding sodium bicarbonate and oil. When sodium bicarbonate meets stomach acid (mainly hydrochloric acid), a chemical reaction will occur, consuming a certain amount of stomach acid. Because it is used as a leavening agent, the amount of sodium bicarbonate added is only 0.4% in most cases, which cannot effectively relieve the symptoms of "heartburn". Moreover, during the reaction between the two, a certain amount of gas will be released, aggravating the symptoms of bloating and belching. The addition of up to 20%-30% of oil in soda crackers will also delay gastric emptying and digestion time, increasing the burden on the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, compared with other biscuits, soda crackers have a higher "sodium" content, which is not good for cardiovascular health. Therefore, soda crackers do not nourish the stomach and should not be eaten too much.

Copyrighted stock images, no reproduction is authorized

How can we nourish our stomach scientifically?

First of all, we need to establish a correct "stomach care concept". By paying attention to digestion, promoting nutrient digestion and absorption, changing bad eating habits, and reducing damage to gastrointestinal function, we can achieve the goal of stomach and even whole body health.

Secondly, the way to nourish the stomach also depends on the person, the disease and the place. People of different ages, regions and health conditions should develop appropriate eating habits and ways to protect the stomach, eat regularly, avoid overeating, and avoid excessive pursuit of raw, cold, greasy and irritating food.

Secondly, you should learn to pay attention to stomach symptoms. When you experience stomach discomfort such as loss of appetite, indigestion, stomach pain, acid reflux, belching, etc., you must seek medical attention in time and do not take it lightly.

in conclusion

It is very important to protect the health of the stomach, but the incorrect way of "nurturing the stomach" will become the driving force of stomach diseases. Regular diet, proper nutrition, and regular physical examinations are the first choice for scientific "nurturing the stomach".

Author: Zhang Yu, researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, doctor of medicine, and master's supervisor

Reviewer: Wang Qiang, deputy chief physician, Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital

The article is produced by "Science Refutes Facts" (ID: Science_Facts). Please indicate the source when reprinting.

The cover image and images within this article are from the copyright gallery. Reprinting and quoting them may lead to copyright disputes.