Family gatherings mean feasting and overindulgence; skipping breakfast only to pig out at dinner; working overtime, neglecting sleep and meals... In daily life, our stomachs often endure "extreme" treatment, surviving in distorted conditions. This leads to a cascade of gastric issues like acute gastritis, alcohol poisoning, and gastric hemorrhage.
Stomach troubles affect all age groups
Located in the upper left abdomen, the stomach functions like a pouch—storing and digesting food with remarkable elasticity. Through peristalsis and digestive enzymes, food is thoroughly churned and mixed into a porridge-like mixture, facilitating absorption in the intestines.Under normal circumstances, water is emptied within minutes, carbohydrates take about two hours, while proteins and fats require relatively longer periods.
Though our stomachs appear robust—capable of digesting diverse flavors and textures—they are far more fragile than we imagine. China is a "nation of stomach ailments," with approximately 120 million gastrointestinal patients among its 1.3 billion population.Simultaneously, gastric cancer ranks second among all malignant tumors in incidence and third in mortality rates in China. More alarmingly, the country currently reports over 420,000 new gastric cancer cases annually, accounting for 42% of global new cases and ranking first worldwide.
Secrets to Stomach Care
I. Cultivate Healthy Habits: Eat smaller, more frequent meals, stopping when 70% full.Eat well in the morning, eat your fill at noon, and eat lightly at night. Avoid overeating or binge eating.
2. Adjust dietary habits: Eat meals on schedule, sitting down rather than standing or squatting. Avoid spicy, fried, or smoked foods like barbecue. Steer clear of overly acidic, cold, or strongly stimulating foods. Refrain from alcohol and limit strong tea or coffee.Increase intake of vegetables and high-fiber foods like celery and shiitake mushrooms. III. Active Dietary Therapy and Massage: Warming foods like lamb and dog meat nourish the stomach and suit cold-type stomach conditions. Garlic's antibacterial properties help reduce inflammation—consume generously. Additionally, goji berries, white fungus, red dates, and walnuts can be eaten as snacks or incorporated into dishes.After meals and before bedtime, rub your hands together until warm. Using your navel as the center, massage in a clockwise direction around your abdomen for 64 circles. Afterward, rub your hands warm again and massage your lower abdomen. Maintain a calm and peaceful state of mind—the onset and progression of stomach ailments are closely linked to one's emotions and mindset. Therefore, prioritize mental well-being, maintain a cheerful spirit and stable emotions, and avoid negative stimuli such as tension, anxiety, or anger. Stomach-Nourishing Foods 1.Sweet Potatoes: Rich in starch, dietary fiber, carotene, vitamins A, B, C, E, and over ten trace elements including potassium, iron, copper, selenium, calcium, as well as linoleic acid, sweet potatoes offer exceptional nutritional value. Nutritionists hail them as one of the most nutritionally balanced health foods. These components help maintain vascular elasticity and are highly effective in preventing and treating habitual constipation in the elderly.
2. Dried Hawthorn Berries: Unlike hawthorn slices which require added sugar and preservatives, dried hawthorn berries are made by dehydrating whole berries. They are high in fiber and rich in vitamins, hawthorn acid, citric acid, and other nutrients. With a pleasant taste, they are excellent for promoting digestion, relieving food stagnation, and stimulating appetite.
3. Lion's Mane Mushroom: Rich in unsaturated fatty acids, lion's mane mushroom promotes blood circulation, lowers blood cholesterol levels, and enhances immune function. It helps delay aging and inhibits the synthesis of genetic material in cancer cells, thereby preventing and treating digestive disorders such as gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, and gastritis.
4. Red Dates: Rich in triterpenoid compounds and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), red dates exhibit potent anti-cancer and anti-allergic properties. Additionally, they increase mucus secretion in the gastrointestinal tract, repair gastrointestinal damage, and protect the liver.
5. Pumpkin: Pumpkin is highly beneficial for nourishing the spleen and stomach and aiding digestion. From a nutritional perspective, pumpkin is rich in vitamin A, which protects the gastrointestinal mucosa and prevents conditions like gastritis and gastric ulcers.