Modern women are increasingly prone to stomach diseases due to irregular diets and high mental stress, and these conditions are generally difficult to cure. To avoid the suffering of stomach pain, daily diet should be paid more attention to. Avoid eating fruits on an empty stomach, and eat more foods that nourish the stomach.
I. Fruits to Avoid on an Empty Stomach
1. Tomato
Tomatoes are highly acidic and can stimulate the stomach to produce more acid. Therefore, eating too many tomatoes can lead to symptoms like acid reflux and heartburn. This also applies to tomato sauce made from tomatoes.
2. Persimmon
When the stomach is empty, it contains a large amount of gastric acid, which can easily react with persimmon tannins, gums, pectin, and soluble astringents in persimmons to form bezoars. This can cause epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, gastric dilatation, gastric ulcers, and even gastric perforation or bleeding.
3. Sugarcane
It has a high sugar content and is not suitable for consumption on an empty stomach, as it can irritate the gastric mucosa, leading to stomach pain and abdominal bloating. Moreover, eating too much sugarcane on an empty stomach can cause a sudden influx of excessive sugar into the body, leading to "hypertonic coma."
4. Orange
Oranges contain a lot of sugar and organic acids. Eating them on an empty stomach can irritate the gastric mucosa, increase gastric acid, and result in a bloated, stuffy feeling and acid reflux.
5. Hawthorn
Hawthorn is sour and has the effect of promoting qi and aiding digestion. However, if consumed on an empty stomach, it not only consumes qi but also increases the feeling of hunger and worsens stomach diseases.
II. 7 Foods that Nourish the Stomach
1. Spinach
It is sweet and cool in nature, capable of moistening dryness and nourishing the liver, benefiting the stomach and intestines, and relieving constipation. "The Herbal Food Canon" records: "It benefits the five organs, unblocks the intestines, and resolves alcohol toxicity." Spinach can promote secretion from the stomach and pancreas, increase appetite, and aid digestion; its rich fiber also helps intestinal peristalsis and facilitates bowel movements. However, spinach is high in oxalic acid, which hinders calcium absorption. It should be avoided with high-calcium foods like tofu or seaweed, or briefly blanched before cooking to remove the oxalic acid.
2. Pumpkin
"The Compendium of Materia Medica" states: "Pumpkin is warm in nature, sweet in flavor, and enters the spleen and stomach meridians." It can tonify the middle jiao, reduce inflammation, kill bacteria, and relieve pain. The rich pectin it contains can "absorb" bacteria and toxic substances, including heavy metals like lead, acting as a detoxifying agent. At the same time, pectin can protect the stomach from irritation and reduce ulcers. Pumpkin can be cooked into congee or soup to nourish the stomach and intestines.
3. Cabbage
Cabbage is rich in anti-aging antioxidants, which can boost immunity and improve overall health. Potassium is very beneficial for preventing and treating high blood pressure. Vitamin K helps prevent blood clotting and strengthens bones. Vitamin U has a protective effect on mucosal cells and is said to be effective in the prevention and treatment of stomach heat and gastric ulcers.
4. Chestnut
Chestnuts are sweet and warm in nature and enter the spleen, stomach, and kidney meridians. They have the effects of nourishing the stomach and spleen, strengthening muscles, and activating blood. They are suitable for chronic diarrhea caused by spleen and stomach deficiency-cold.
5. Dried Shrimp
It is very suitable for people who feel cold due to kidney deficiency in winter. Because it is rich in protein, carbohydrates, fat, and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and iron, it has the effects of tonifying the kidneys, strengthening yang, nourishing yin, strengthening the stomach, and promoting blood circulation.
6. Papaya
Papaya is also a gentle fruit, but it must be bought ripe and just right. Too raw or too ripe is not ideal.
7. Apple
Apples are neutral in nature and are suitable for people of almost all constitutions. Moreover, their detoxifying function is very powerful.