Why do so many people nowadays suffer from stomach ailments? One reason is due to unhealthy lifestyle habits, and the other is related to diet. Nowadays, basically everyone has enough to eat, and some even indulge in rich foods daily. The quality of your diet determines the health of your stomach; some foods are beneficial for the stomach, while others are not.
1. Acidic Drinks
Acidic drinks can irritate the esophagus, stimulating sensory nerves and causing the affected area to become red and swollen. Especially in the morning, when the stomach's function is weak, you should definitely not drink acidic drinks, as this will increase the acidity in the gastrointestinal tract and cause stomach discomfort.
2. Chocolate
Eating large amounts of chocolate not only brings excess calories, but those who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have experienced the unpleasant stimulation that comes after eating chocolate. This is because chocolate causes the lower esophageal sphincter to relax, allowing stomach acid to flow back and irritate the esophagus and throat.
3. Ice Cream
Eating too much ice cream, popsicles, or cold drinks can affect the normal function of the digestive system, making food difficult to digest and easily damaging the spleen and stomach. Although it's delicious at the time, it can later lead to a decreased appetite and irritate the spleen and stomach, creating a vicious cycle of bloating and abdominal pain.
4. Beans
Beans have always been considered a healthy food, but few people realize that eating too many can cause indigestion. The oligosaccharides in beans, such as stachyose and raffinose, are fermented by intestinal bacteria, which can produce gas, leading to symptoms like belching, bowel rumbling, bloating, and abdominal pain.
Therefore, experts suggest that patients with severe peptic ulcers should not eat bean products, as they are high in purines and can promote gastric acid secretion. Patients with acute gastritis and chronic superficial gastritis should also avoid bean products to prevent stimulating gastric acid secretion and causing gastrointestinal bloating.
5. Spicy Foods
Eating chili peppers has certain health benefits, but from the perspective of stomach health, it's best to eat them in moderation. Spicy foods can irritate the inner lining of the esophagus, causing an unpleasant burning sensation afterward and increasing the burden on the stomach.