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There is a saying in Western medicine that by just looking at a person's "stomach appearance," one can tell how healthy they are. Similarly, Chinese medicine has the saying, "life exists where stomach qi exists." This shows that both Chinese and Western medicine recognize the crucial importance of the stomach to overall human health.
The stomach, as a vital digestive organ, is often neglected by city dwellers, who only seek remedies when symptoms like indigestion, acid reflux, stomach pain, or bloating occur.
To prevent problems, we should take good care of our stomach early on. There are many methods for "nourishing the stomach," but which ones are reliable? We have compiled some common myths about stomach care, along with expert opinions, to share with you.
1. Chewing gum/throat lozenges can neutralize stomach acid and relieve symptoms of acid reflux.
Dr. Kijuro Nomura, director of the Shonan Medical Research Institute, states that chewing gum stimulates saliva production, which can neutralize stomach acid to some extent and alleviate discomfort in the esophagus caused by acid reflux. However, it's crucial to choose chewing gum without peppermint, as the stimulating compounds in peppermint can promote gastric secretion and worsen the condition.
2. If your stomach isn't well, you should eat more congee and drink more milk.
Deng Cong, a Chinese medicine practitioner in Guangzhou, states that congee and milk are difficult to digest foods. Their consumption increases stomach acid secretion, so they are not suitable for people with stomach problems or patients with gastric diseases. However, for individuals with insufficient stomach acid secretion, consuming congee and milk can help increase stomach acid production, thus making them beneficial for their stomach health.
3. Among sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, and salty, sour foods are the most damaging to the stomach.
Professor Li Junxiang of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine stated on the health program "Health Road" that sweetness is a type of dampness evil. Dampness evil can linger in the spleen and stomach for a long time, causing internal dampness and gradually weakening the spleen and stomach. From a Western medicine perspective, eating sweets promotes stomach acid secretion. Excessive stomach acid can damage the gastric mucosa, leading to gastric problems. Therefore, people with poor stomach health should eat less sweet foods.
4. Eat less high-fiber food to reduce the burden on the stomach.
Dr. Li Bai-chun of Taipei states that consuming high-fiber foods can improve constipation and prevent acid reflux caused by bloating. However, gastroenterologist Dr. Chen An-an advises against excessive consumption, as high-fiber foods can lead to indigestion, so a balanced diet is important.
5. Emotions do not affect stomach problems.
Taiwanese physician Chen Yen-fu states that the stomach is an organ easily affected by human emotions. For example, anger can cause sympathetic nervous system excitement, concentrating blood in the heart, brain, and blood vessels, thereby reducing blood flow to the stomach, slowing peristalsis, and decreasing appetite, which can easily lead to stomach ulcers. Therefore, maintaining a cheerful mood is an excellent way to nourish the stomach.
Nourish Your Stomach by Adopting Healthy Habits
Based on the above 5 points, nourishing your stomach can actually start with basic healthy habits, such as eating at regular times, having a balanced diet, and maintaining a relaxed mood. Of course, if you have stomach problems, don't wait; consult your attending doctor immediately.
Bird's Nest has Stomach-Nourishing Effects
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, bird's nest is believed to soothe the liver and strengthen the stomach, with a calming effect, making it an excellent stomach-nourishing product. As recorded in "Ben Jing Feng Yuan" (Original Classic of Materia Medica), bird's nest can promote the interplay of metal and water, nourish kidney qi in the lungs, and thus stabilize stomach qi, making it the most gentle of all foods.
