As the saying goes, "Nine out of ten people have stomach issues." Stomach discomfort, acid reflux, and bloating have become common ailments among modern people. Yet when it comes to stomach cancer, many still feel it's a distant concern. Xiao Wen, a college student in Jinhua, Zhejiang, would often indulge in a "hearty meal" after evening study sessions, sometimes even making grilled food his main staple. Recently, Xiao Wen was diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer, with "grilled food" identified as the primary culprit.
Dietary Habits and Environmental Pollution Drive High Gastric Cancer Rates
Annual reports from the National Cancer Registry Center indicate that gastric cancer incidence is concentrated in western China and southeastern coastal provinces such as Shanghai, Jiangsu, Qinghai, and Gansu.The incidence rate among men is significantly higher than among women, particularly middle-aged men who often suffer from conditions like gastric polyps, gastric ulcers, and chronic atrophic gastritis. If left untreated for a long time, these conditions can potentially develop into stomach cancer.
Data shows that in the past five years, China has seen 400,000 new cases of stomach cancer annually, accounting for about 42% of the world's total incidence rate.Projections indicate China's gastric cancer incidence will continue rising at an annual rate of 1.6% through 2015.
Experts attribute China's high gastric cancer rates to distinctive dietary habits, including a preference for grilled lamb skewers, hot pot, spicy foods, and pickled items. Overly flavorful foods irritate the digestive tract, potentially causing organ lesions.Excessive alcohol consumption is another factor. Heavy drinking of baijiu not only damages the liver but also adversely affects the entire digestive tract.
Furthermore, the sharp rise in gastric cancer incidence in recent years is significantly linked to environmental pollution. Contaminated water and food irritate the digestive tract, harming the stomach. Additionally, pesticide residues and the misuse of medications contribute to increased digestive system cancers.
What to do for a sensitive stomach? Six top stomach-friendly foods recommended
Stomach-friendly food #1: Cabbage
Cabbage is essential for stomach health. It strengthens the spleen and stomach, relieves acute pain, detoxifies, reduces swelling, and promotes diuresis.It is also rich in vitamin C, which has analgesic properties and promotes ulcer healing. Simmering cabbage with Job's tears, dried tangerine peel, and honey can treat epigastric pain, upper abdominal distension, and gastric or duodenal ulcers.
Stomach-Nourishing Food #2: Pumpkin
According to the Diannan Materia Medica and Compendium of Materia Medica, pumpkin is warm in nature, sweet in taste, and enters the spleen and stomach meridians. This means pumpkin is highly beneficial for nourishing the spleen and stomach.From a modern nutritional perspective, pumpkin is rich in carotene, B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, and other nutrients. It is an excellent aid for stomach health and digestion. The pectin it contains protects the gastrointestinal mucosa from irritation by coarse foods, making it suitable for those with stomach ailments.
Stomach-Nourishing Food 3: Cabbage
Cabbage is hailed as nature's "stomach vegetable." It promotes saliva production, quenches thirst, aids digestion, stimulates gastric juice secretion, and protects the gastric mucosa.Individuals with poor stomach health, particularly those suffering from gastric or duodenal ulcers, can drink cabbage juice daily. Adding a small amount of honey enhances its efficacy in promoting ulcer healing.
Stomach-Nourishing Food 4: Poria Cocos (Fu Ling)
With a sweet and bland taste and neutral nature, it fortifies the spleen and harmonizes the stomach. It expels dampness, promotes diuresis, and possesses anti-aging properties. Beyond the common poria cake, it can be ground into powder and added to congee, or mixed with honey and spread on pastries before steaming.
Stomach-Nourishing Food 5: Lotus Seed
With a mild nature and slightly sweet taste, traditional Chinese medicine considers it effective for replenishing spleen and stomach qi, stopping diarrhea, and calming the mind. Note that lotus seeds require removal of the inner core before consumption.
Stomach-Nourishing Food 6: Euryale Seed
Also known as water chestnut seed, it has a neutral nature and a sweet-astringent taste. It ranks among the best foods for tonifying the spleen and stomach, while also solidifying body fluids. Its effects resemble those of lotus seeds, though its astringent properties are stronger. For diarrhea caused by spleen-stomach deficiency, euryale seed can help stop the diarrhea.Due to their hard texture, water chestnuts require prolonged boiling or can be ground into powder and added to porridge.
Poor stomach health compromises quality of life! Modern urban lifestyles often involve overeating or irregular meals, which gradually harm gastrointestinal health. Therefore, those with weak stomachs should incorporate these six stomach-nourishing foods, maintain regular mealtimes, stay relaxed, and consistently follow the principle of "30% treatment, 70% nourishment." Your stomach will gradually return to normal.