Introduction: Rumor: Eating too late always increases the risk of stomach cancer. Eating late-night snacks is very harmful to the stomach because the lifespan of gastric mucosal epithelial cells is very short, about 2-3 days for regeneration, and this process generally occurs when the gastrointestinal tract is resting at night. Frequently eating at night can prevent the gastric mucosa from being repaired in time and even damage it.
Truth: Eating too late at night is often thought to "harm the stomach," "prevent the stomach from resting," and even be the chief culprit for stomach cancer. News headlines like "Young white-collar workers develop stomach cancer from years of overtime and late-night snacks" also appear from time to time. However, even in individual cases where "eating late-night snacks" and "stomach cancer" truly occur sequentially, this does not prove a connection between them.
Comforting and Stomach-Soothing Pumpkin Porridge
Does the gastric mucosa need to repair itself at night?
The rumor mentions that night is the time for gastric mucosal cells to rest and recover, and they should not be stimulated to peristalsis; they need a good "sleep." If you eat at this time, it will cause serious damage to them, and may even be carcinogenic. Is this statement reasonable?
Eating late-night snacks causes stomach cancer? No evidence supports this
Like the mucous membranes or skin in other parts of the body, the repair of the gastric mucosa under normal conditions relies on the continuous renewal of epithelial cells. The gastrointestinal mucosa is one of the most rapidly proliferating tissues in the body, maintaining a balance between proliferation and growth and cell loss caused by the shedding of surface cells. New cells move from the proliferation zone to the surface and gradually differentiate into surface epithelial mucosal cells. Meanwhile, aging epithelial cells shed from the surface and are cleared by being phagocytosed by surrounding epithelial cells. The gastric mucosa is completely renewed every 3-5 days. This renewal process of mucosal cells is continuous, and no research has found a correlation with the circadian rhythm. Therefore, the rumor's claim that the gastric mucosa can only be repaired at night during rest and that eating at night will hinder this repair is unfounded.
Lotus Seed and Pork Stomach Soup
Eating late-night snacks causes stomach cancer? No evidence supports this
The theoretical explanation mentioned in the rumor is not reasonable, so is there any research data suggesting a link between eating late-night snacks and the risk of stomach cancer? The answer is also no. Searching in medical databases like Pubmed, it can be found that no current studies have linked late eating times (and a short interval between eating and sleeping) with the risk of stomach cancer.
When mentioning risk factors for stomach cancer, authoritative institutions and various clinical guidelines, such as Cancer Research UK, the American Cancer Society, and the evidence-based medical database UpToDate, have not included eating times. Although various professional organizations believe that diet is an important factor affecting the incidence of stomach cancer, they emphasize "what to eat" rather than "when to eat": excessive intake of salt and preserved foods are the real risk factors associated with stomach cancer.
Spinach Noodles
Eating too late can injure the esophagus
There is no evidence that eating late snacks is correlated with the incidence of stomach cancer, but if you eat too late and then go to sleep immediately, it can indeed cause some trouble for the digestive system.
Some studies show that a short interval between eating and sleeping increases the risk of gastroesophageal reflux. And acid reflux not only brings the discomfort of "heartburn," but also damages the esophagus. If the esophageal mucosa is under the stimulation of gastric acid for a long time, it may develop so-called "atypical hyperplasia," gradually progressing to precancerous lesions, thereby increasing the risk of esophageal cancer.
Studies have shown that a short interval between eating and sleeping is indeed a potential risk factor for esophageal cancer. A paper published in the August 2014 issue of the Annals of Surgical Oncology also pointed out that this factor is associated with cardia cancer, which occurs at the junction of the stomach and esophagus. However, the good news is that these studies have also found that this risk can be reduced by avoiding going to sleep immediately after late-night snacks and taking a walk after a meal.
Milk, Papaya, and Sago pudding
How to eat to prevent stomach cancer?
What factors are actually related to stomach cancer? Let's first look at the professional answer. Vincen T. DeVilta and his colleagues at the Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center listed a series of evidence-supported high-risk factors for stomach cancer in the 9th edition of "Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology," published in 2011. In addition to genetics, several important factors affecting the incidence of stomach cancer include diet, occupation, smoking, Helicobacter pylori infection, obesity, and radiation exposure. In terms of diet, high salt intake, excessive intake of preserved foods, and insufficient intake of vitamins A and C are all associated with an increased risk of stomach cancer.
From this, it can be seen that to reduce the risk of stomach cancer, "eating" is indeed an aspect that needs special attention. However, "what to eat" is more noteworthy than "when to eat." A series of previous studies have found that high salt intake, high intake of preserved foods, and deficiency of nutrients like vitamin C are also associated with the incidence of stomach cancer. Many people choose high-salt preserved meats, sausages, or barbecue as late-night snacks. If eating late-night snacks really increases the risk of stomach cancer, these "heavy-flavored" recipes are probably the main culprits.
Pan-fried Pumpkin Cakes
In addition, another noteworthy factor is Helicobacter pylori. It is currently believed that Helicobacter pylori infection can lead to the development of gastric ulcers. In the process of repeated damage and repair of the gastric mucosa, gastric mucosal epithelial cells may suddenly "mutate," leading to precancerous lesions, thereby increasing the possibility of developing cancer. Patients with Helicobacter pylori infection combined with ulcers need standard eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori. To prevent Helicobacter pylori infection, it is important to pay attention to dietary hygiene. Choosing unhygienic food stalls for late-night snacks can also increase the risk of Helicobacter pylori infection.
In addition, staying away from tobacco, eating more fruits and vegetables, and maintaining a healthy weight can also help prevent stomach cancer.
Conclusion:
The claim that "eating late-night snacks causes stomach cancer" lacks evidence, but eating soon after sleeping can lead to gastroesophageal reflux and damage the esophagus. Instead of blaming late-night snacks, it's better to manage your diet and lifestyle well to protect your stomach.
Homemade Hawthorn Rolls