The stomach is an important organ in the human body, and all nutrients must pass through it to be utilized by the body. However, many people do not treat it well. Irregular eating habits, smoking, and other factors can severely damage the stomach. With the Spring Festival approaching, how can we fight to protect our stomach's health?
1. Irregular meals, excessive stress, a preference for smoked foods, and eating too hot food can cause cancer. Stomach damage index: ★★★★★
A survey shows that people who often have irregular meals have a 1.3 times higher risk of developing stomach cancer than the normal population. Eating while angry increases the risk by 1.5 times, and a preference for very hot food increases it by 4.22 times. If these factors act together, the relative risk of stomach cancer is even higher. Skipping meals, overeating, frequently skipping breakfast, and an irregular lifestyle due to staying up late creates a "perfect" environment for the development of stomach cancer.
Processed meat products such as cured meats and smoked fish contain large amounts of nitrites, which can easily form nitrosamines, directly inducing tumors in the stomach. This is also the reason for the high incidence of stomach cancer in coastal areas and among the Japanese. Swedish scientists have found that for every additional 30 grams of processed meat products consumed daily, the risk of stomach cancer increases by 15%-38%.
In addition, the human digestive tract mucosa is very delicate and can only tolerate food at 50-60°C. Beyond this temperature, the mucosa can be scalded. Freshly brewed tea can reach 80-90°C and can easily scald the digestive tract. If you often eat overly hot food, the mucosal injury has not yet healed before it is scalded again. This repeated cycle of injury and repair can cause changes in the mucosal tissue, which can further develop into cancer.
Expert advice: For those who cannot eat on time, it is advisable to keep snacks like soda crackers and instant oatmeal handy. If you really don't have time for a proper meal, eat something to neutralize stomach acid and prevent the stomach from "running empty." However, this method should only be used occasionally, as doing so for a long time is also harmful to the stomach. For those who like smoked foods, reduce the frequency of consumption and only have them occasionally. When smoking or grilling food, ensure it does not come into direct contact with the flame, and do not smoke or grill for too long. Do not eat any charred parts, as the protein in these areas has denatured. Additionally, when eating barbecue, consume more vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C, which can also help counteract carcinogens.
2. Smoking, drinking strong alcohol, unclean food, and drug-induced irritation can cause gastric ulcers. Stomach damage index: ★★★★
Smokers often think that nicotine only enters the lungs, but they are unaware that smoke also travels through the digestive tract into the stomach, directly irritating the gastric mucosa. This causes the blood vessels beneath the mucosa to contract and spasm, leading to ischemia and hypoxia in the gastric mucosa. Over time, this can easily lead to gastric ulcers.
Drinking a moderate amount of low-alcohol beverages can increase blood flow to the stomach. However, long-term or excessive consumption of strong alcohol can directly damage the gastric mucosal barrier, causing congestion, edema, erosion, and even bleeding.
Helicobacter pylori is a major culprit in causing gastric ulcers. Infection with this bacterium is mostly due to unclean eating habits and person-to-person transmission.
Expert advice: Drink moderate amounts of low-alcohol beverages such as rice wine and wine, and avoid excessive consumption of strong spirits like baijiu. Eat something before drinking to reduce the direct irritation of alcohol on the gastrointestinal tract. Using a separate meal system can reduce the risk of Helicobacter pylori infection. This is especially necessary if someone in the family has a gastric ulcer. Do not滥用 drugs. When taking medications that are irritating to the stomach for a long time, it is best to also take some gastric mucosal protective drugs.