As people age, their body's metabolism slows down, and their digestive function gradually weakens. So, how can the elderly aid digestion? Please read the following for a detailed introduction!
As people age, the body's metabolism slows down, and digestive function gradually weakens, making middle-aged and elderly people more susceptible to digestive system diseases. Those with elderly family members are well aware that some elderly people feel full after just a few bites of food, and their abdomen becomes bloated. This is a sign of digestive problems. So, how can the elderly aid digestion?
1. Rinse with saliva.
The weakening of the spleen and stomach function in the elderly is related to a decrease in saliva secretion. Saliva contains amylase and can play a role in moistening the mouth, killing bacteria, and more. Saliva is also an important substance that nourishes the spleen and stomach and is closely related to the proper functioning of the digestive system. The elderly can do some oral exercises to promote saliva secretion. First, calm your mind, close your mouth, and lick the upper palate with your tongue. Then, extend your tongue outside the upper teeth and stir it up, down, left, and right several times. This method stimulates the oral nerves, thereby producing a large amount of saliva. Once the saliva is produced, retain it in your mouth without swallowing. When there is enough, you can gargle by puffing your cheeks, and then swallow slowly or in two or three parts. Do this 3-4 times in the morning and evening daily.
2. Listen to music.
The ancient book "Shoushi Baoyuan" contains a saying: "The spleen loves music; it moves and grinds food upon hearing it." This means that music can aid digestion. Beautiful music stimulates the central nervous system, thereby regulating the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, urinary, and endocrine systems. It not only promotes blood circulation but also increases gastrointestinal motility and digestive gland secretion, which is beneficial to metabolism. If the elderly can listen to some music with a relaxed rhythm, beautiful timbre, and pleasant melody after dinner during their rest time, it can help with better digestion.
3. Do not eat fruit or drink tea immediately after a meal.
Eating fruit immediately after a meal will be blocked by the food eaten first, preventing the fruit from being digested properly. Drinking tea immediately after a meal, the tannic acid in the tea water will affect protein absorption and increase the burden on the stomach. Drinking tea after a meal should be done after the stomach has emptied, about 2 hours after the meal.
4. Eat staple foods first.
Staple foods are a "natural digestive aid". Staple foods like rice and noodles are carbohydrates, which are easily digested and can make people feel full easily. Eating them first can avoid overeating and also helps stimulate saliva to secrete amylase to digest food, which in turn stimulates gastric acid secretion and enhances the stomach's digestive capacity. Whole grains are the first choice for staple foods. They are rich in fiber, which can promote gastrointestinal motility and help expel excess fat from the body.
5. Bend over three times.
Doing moderate bending movements after a meal can tilt the stomach forward, allowing food to enter the gastric antrum, promoting emptying, and accelerating digestion. Slowly bend 90 degrees three times after each meal, for 1-2 minutes each time. It should be noted that people with gastroesophageal reflux disease or reflux esophagitis should not use this method.
6. Rub the stomach while walking.
"A hundred steps after a meal will let you live to ninety-nine." Every day, walk for 20-30 minutes half an hour after a meal. Rubbing the stomach while walking can promote blood circulation and gastric juice secretion in the gastrointestinal tract, enhancing the digestive function of the gastrointestinal tract. When rubbing the stomach, keep your five fingers together, center on the navel, and rotate and massage the abdomen with your palms. Massage one circle per step, alternating directions. Do this for 15-20 minutes each time until the abdomen becomes red and feels warm. The force should be moderate when rubbing the stomach. Try to wear cotton tops without buttons to avoid obstruction from buttons or static electricity.
The digestive function of the elderly is somewhat weakened, so they often experience indigestion. Although the methods above can aid digestion, it is still recommended that elderly friends not eat too many hard-to-digest foods and eat more easily digestible foods, which is more beneficial to their health!