The stomach is the organ responsible for contracting, grinding food, and mixing it with gastric acid, aiding the body in digesting food. Damage to the stomach can affect other organs in the body.
According to statistics from the Gastroenterology Society, in recent years in Vietnam, up to 26% of the population suffers from peptic ulcer disease, and 70% of our population is at risk of gastric diseases.
Experts believe that the increase in gastrointestinal disorders is due to irregular eating habits such as: eating too little at times; eating too much at other times; eating too quickly, especially during lunch breaks or at night, or skipping meals, particularly breakfast.
The stomach operates at specific times of the day. Therefore, during these times, gastric acid and digestive enzymes in gastric juice are secreted even if you skip meals, eat out of schedule, or go hungry. This is also a cause of damage to the stomach lining, leading to chronic gastritis and ulcers. Thus, a scientific diet will help nourish a healthy stomach.
In addition to irregular eating patterns, the stomach also has three other “fears”, which can affect its health.
First “Fear”: Fear of Cold
Dr. Nguyen Trong Hung, Head of the Adult Nutrition Department at the National Institute of Nutrition, states that the stomach is sensitive to hot and cold stimuli. Food that is too cold or too hot can cause irritation, leading the stomach to contract more. Excessive contraction of the stomach results in increased acid secretion, which can cause damage to the stomach.
Cold food makes the stomach work harder. (illustrative image).
Especially for those suffering from gastritis, consuming cold food can exacerbate pain. According to Dr. Hung, when suffering from gastritis, doctors always advise patients to eat warm food to help reduce stomach pain.
Therefore, to keep the stomach healthy, everyone should avoid cold food and keep the abdominal area warm during cold weather.
Second “Fear”: Raw Food
Dr. Hung believes that raw food can increase the risk of gastritis caused by bacteria and other agents. Raw foods are often harder to digest compared to stewed or cooked food. Raw food is usually chewy, which can directly impact the stomach lining and cause damage.
Particularly, raw meats, fish, and uncooked vegetables also carry the risk of parasitic and bacterial infections, which can harm the stomach when consumed. Therefore, people should limit the frequent consumption of raw foods, and if they do, they should choose products that ensure food safety. Additionally, cooking food thoroughly can soften it, making it easier for the body to digest and absorb nutrients, thus protecting gastrointestinal health.
Raw food complicates digestion. (illustrative image)
Third “Fear”: Fear of Extreme Hunger and Overeating
Besides cold food and raw food, the stomach is also very “sensitive” to overeating or extreme hunger. When the stomach is empty, gastric acid continues to be secreted, causing damage to the stomach lining. In cases of overeating, insufficient gastric acid secretion can lead to bloating and increased gastric acid levels.
Dr. Hung states that the best way to protect the stomach is to eat on schedule. When eating, one should eat just enough to feel satisfied and not let the stomach go hungry.
According to experts, to protect the stomach, the simplest approach is to adhere to the principles of 2 Do’s – 2 Don’ts – 2 Care:
- 2 Do’s include: Eating on time, eating balanced meals, and ensuring food safety;
- 2 Don’ts are: Avoiding excessive stimulants such as spicy foods, alcohol, or high-fat dishes… and avoiding stress, as stress can increase gastric acid secretion, potentially eroding the stomach lining and causing gastritis;
- 2 Care: Regular exercise to boost the body’s resistance and regular annual health check-ups.
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