People with poor gastrointestinal health need to pay special attention to their diet. Careless consumption of certain foods can加重 the burden on the digestive system, creating health hazards.
Kiwifruit Relieves Constipation but Causes "Heartburn"
Kiwifruit can relieve constipation and is rich in vitamin C, earning it the title "king of fruits." However, Zhu Xinyi, Associate Chief Physician of the Internal Medicine Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, reminds us that kiwifruit is considered a "cold" natured food. Overconsumption can damage the spleen and stomach's yang energy, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Furthermore, the large amount of vitamin C and pectin in kiwifruit can increase stomach acid and加重 the burden on the stomach, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, acid reflux, and heartburn, which can worsen in cold weather. During the current cold season, patients with stomach ailments (spleen and stomach yang deficiency) should eat little to no kiwifruit.
Fresh Jujubes are Delicious but the Skin Irritates the Stomach
Winter jujubes are known as a natural "vitamin pill." Wang Xingguo, head of the Nutrition Department at Dalian Central Hospital in Liaoning Province, warns that eating too many fresh jujubes can harm the digestive system.
This is because jujubes are very high in dietary fiber, and a large intake at once can irritate the stomach and intestines, causing gastrointestinal discomfort. Most of the dietary fiber is found in the jujube skin, which is thin, hard, and has sharp edges. If the gastric mucosa is inflamed or has an ulcer, it can加重 the pain and discomfort.
Hawthorn Stimulates Appetite but Can Easily Lead to Stones
Many people find hawthorn appetizing and delicious, and as a result, they might overindulge. However, people with poor digestive systems should eat less hawthorn, as excessive consumption can lead to stomach stones.
This is because hawthorn is high in pectin and tannic acid. When it comes into contact with stomach acid, it can easily coagulate into an insoluble precipitate, which, along with food residue, can form a stomach stone. These stones can cause gastric ulcers, gastric bleeding, and in severe cases, even gastric wall necrosis and perforation. However, cooking hawthorn before eating can reduce the effects of tannic acid.