Digestive discomfort is common during summer. So what should one do when experiencing summer digestive issues? What dietary considerations apply for those with sensitive stomachs? Which foods should be avoided?
Persistent gastrointestinal discomfort reflects chronic digestive dysfunction. If left untreated over time, it not only affects overall health but may also lead to the development of gastric disorders.The primary causes of gastrointestinal issues often stem from individual dietary patterns and the overuse of antibiotics. Traditional medications carry significant side effects, causing considerable irritation to the stomach. While they eliminate pathogenic bacteria, they also disrupt the gut microbiome, reducing gastric immunity and leading to recurrent stomach problems.Those with weak spleen and stomach should limit hawthorn consumption, as excessive intake may lead to gastric stones. Hawthorn's high pectin and tannic acid content can react with stomach acid to form insoluble precipitates. These combine with food residues to create gastric stones, which may cause ulcers, bleeding, or even necrosis and perforation of the stomach wall.However, cooking hawthorn berries reduces the impact of tannic acid. Fresh jujubes are delicious, but their skins can irritate the stomach. Fresh jujubes should not be consumed in large quantities, as excessive intake can harm the digestive system. Jujubes are high in dietary fiber, and consuming too much at once can irritate the stomach and intestines, causing discomfort.Most dietary fiber is concentrated in the thin yet tough, sharply edged skin of jujubes. If the gastric mucosa is inflamed or ulcerated, this skin can exacerbate pain and discomfort.
Kiwis aid digestion but cause heartburn
Kiwis are cold in nature. Overconsumption damages the yang energy of the spleen and stomach, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea.Additionally, the high vitamin C and pectin content in kiwifruit increases stomach acid and burdens the stomach, causing symptoms like abdominal pain, acid reflux, and heartburn. These symptoms worsen in cold weather. During the current cold season, individuals with stomach ailments (spleen-stomach yang deficiency) should minimize or avoid kiwifruit consumption.
So, what should those with weak stomachs eat?
1. Focus on nutrient-rich foods that are easy to digest, provide sufficient calories, and are rich in protein and vitamins. Examples include congee, various bean products, and an assortment of fruits and vegetables.
2. Limit high-fiber foods. Avoid fried foods and coarse grains like celery and leeks, which contain significant amounts of coarse fiber.
3. Avoid overly stimulating foods and those that trigger excessive gastric acid secretion, such as meat broths and raw onions.
4. Establish a reasonable eating schedule: eat at regular times and in appropriate portions, chewing thoroughly and slowly.
5. Avoid overly stimulating foods and those that trigger excessive gastric acid secretion, such as meat broths and raw onions.
6. Maintain a balanced diet, incorporating a variety of foods in appropriate proportions.
3. Avoid highly irritating foods and those that stimulate gastric acid secretion, such as meat broth and raw onions.
4. Establish a reasonable eating schedule with regular, measured portions. Chew food thoroughly and slowly to reduce digestive burden on the stomach.
Regularly consume vitamin-rich fruits like red dates and hawthorn berries; grapes and strawberries are rich in anthocyanins; citrus fruits and mangoes contain higher levels of carotenoids. These fruits effectively protect the gastric mucosa and repair gastric wall cells.