What is good for the stomach – 7 foods and diet rules based on science

The stomach is one of the main organs of the digestive system. Any deficiencies in the diet negatively affect its work, changing the activity of the secretory and muscular apparatus, as well as violating the integrity of the mucous membrane.

The work of the smooth muscles of the stomach, the activity of secretion of digestive juices directly depend on the type of food eaten. Improper nutrition, the addition of harmful additives knocks down the balanced functioning of all parts of the gastrointestinal tract and manifests itself in the form of various diseases.

However, there are some useful products that can improve the condition of the stomach and the entire digestive tract. The 7 most effective of them are discussed below.

1. Ginger

Recent scientific papers show that ginger is effective for correcting a number of dyspeptic disorders (nausea and vomiting, feeling of discomfort in the epigastric region), eliminating symptoms of seasickness, as well as during a course of chemotherapy. The therapeutic effects of ginger are comparable to metoclopramide, a drug for relieving vomiting.

Ginger &8212; one of 13 foods to improve digestion with proven effect.

In addition, ginger also has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect and can be used for inflammatory diseases of the stomach and other parts of the digestive system.

Ginger is most often consumed in its pure form or tea is brewed based on the root.

Ginger can be used to treat nausea and vomiting instead of toxic medications.

2. Mint

Mint is used for the treatment of subjective unpleasant sensations (nausea, vomiting, feeling of full stomach) due to the content of powerful analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs in the leaves.

Proven that mint helps to improve the general condition of patients with irritable bowel syndrome, effectively eliminates phenomena such as bloating, stomach discomfort, nausea.

How to use mint:

  • Chew the foliage of a plant;
  • Sniffing mint extract;
  • Dissolve candies based on it;
  • Brew mint tea.
Regular use of mint helps to correct disorders of the stomach and other parts of the digestive system, as it contains painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.

3. Apple cider vinegar

The acids contained in apple cider vinegar neutralize the body's absorption of starch. In addition, this remedy helps to normalize the microflora of all parts of the gastrointestinal tract by increasing the number of beneficial bacteria and reducing the population of pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms.

Against the background of consuming 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar per day, the risk of developing gastritis associated with Helicobacter Pylori decreases 2-3 times.

One of the scientific studies proved the direct effect of apple cider vinegar on E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci and Candida fungi. The effect is realized by inhibiting protein synthesis in the microbial cell.

Regular addition of this product to the diet helps not only to prevent the formation of malignant cells, but also to destroy existing ones. Research were performed on live rats and in test tubes based on isolated cell culture.

Apple cider vinegar is an effective remedy for the elimination of dyspeptic disorders, prevention of dysbiosis and cancer.

4. Probiotics

Probiotics are bacteria useful for the intestinal microflora, which are extremely necessary for the body to form local immune factors in the digestive tube and adequate digestion of foods.

Probiotics have a wide range of benefits:

  1. Improved digestion ;
  2. Enhancement of local and general immunity factors;
  3. Improvement of energy metabolism due to the production of large amounts of vitamin B12;
  4. Relief of inflammatory processes of the pancreas, liver and mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract;
  5. Reduction of dry skin and brittle hair;
  6. Restoration of the natural intestinal microflora after prolonged use of antibacterial drugs;
  7. Reduction of body weight and general improvement of the body.

Learn more about the benefits of probiotics here →

Lack of probiotics leads to various pathologies on the part of the immune system (including the formation of autoimmune and allergic processes).

Current scientific research show that probiotics are effective against Helycobacter Pylori. 99% of cases of gastritis and peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum are associated with this bacterium.

A sufficient number of extremely useful probiotics are found in natural yoghurts , kefir , ryazhenka , as well as in some types of cheese (Gouda, Mozzarella, Cheddar), in ordinary cottage cheese and other fermented dairy products. 10 more probiotic products here →

Probiotics are necessary to maintain normal intestinal microflora and prevent inflammatory lesions of the stomach.

5. High protein foods

Normally hydrochloric acid is secreted by the parietal cells of the stomach. It breaks down a number of proteins and provides primary antiseptic processing of food, preventing various pathological agents from entering the lower gastrointestinal tract.

Unfortunately, it is extremely common for a situation to develop in which hydrochloric acid is produced in excess volumes, which leads to damage and irritation of the gastric mucosa. This circumstance is one of the leading risk factors for inflammatory and ulcerative pathologies.

According to scientists , foods that contain a large amount of proteins help to neutralize hydrochloric acid and eliminate a number of symptoms (feeling of rapid filling of the stomach, nausea and vomiting, heartburn).

Thus, food with a high percentage of proteins is indispensable for the treatment and prevention of hyperacid gastritis.

6. Fish

Regular consumption of fish (herring, cod, pink salmon, salmon) is useful for people suffering from chronic gastritis, colitis and other pathologies from the stomach.

Is known that fish contains a significant amount of proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals that are involved in the formation of normal microflora of the digestive tract and prevent the development of infectious and inflammatory pathologies.

In addition, seafood is an easily digestible and dietary food.

Also omega-3 fatty acids in fish prevent a number of abnormalities from the heart and blood vessels (including atherosclerosis).

Fish is necessary to saturate the human body with essential nutrients and prevent a number of chronic stomach diseases.

7. Fresh apples

Apples contain many vitamins (C, B1, B2, B6, E, P), macro- and microelements (calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, boron, iodine, copper, chromium, nickel, zinc), organic acids, pectins and sugars.

Proven that apples normalize the motor evacuation function of the stomach, increase the viability of the sphincter apparatus, and effectively prevent the development of constipation. The effect is provided by oxalic acid and pectins, which irritate the receptors of the mucous membrane and stimulate peristalsis.

Equally important is the enveloping effect, which reduces the absorption of sugars (especially important in pathologies of the glycemic background and obesity) and increases the resistance of the inner lining of the stomach to harmful factors (hydrochloric acid, pepsin, bacteria).

It is recommended to eat at least 1-2 apples a day. Apples can be eaten both in the morning for breakfast and at night as the last meal.

Fresh apples are needed for the adequate and balanced functioning of not only the stomach, but also the entire digestive tract.

What to avoid

There are a large number of harmful and heavy foods, the frequent use of which disrupts not only the work of the stomach, but also all parts of the digestive system, and also negatively affects the health of the body as a whole.

The most dangerous products are considered below, which are better to give up:

  1. Hot pepper. Promotes irritation of the mucous membrane of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. With increased acidity of gastric juice, the abuse of acute can lead to dyspeptic disorders (nausea, heartburn, a feeling of rapid filling, pain in the epigastrium), as well as provoke the development of acute gastritis or exacerbation of chronic gastritis.
  2. Alcohol. Causes "relaxation" of the central nervous system, therefore, the regulatory function of the brain decreases. This leads to the failure of the esophageal and antral sphincters. Against the background of regular discharge of stomach contents into the esophagus and bile from the duodenum, heartburn, chemical gastritis and even malignant tumors develop.
  3. Fried food. We contain a lot of fats that are extremely difficult to digest. Ultimately, this leads to a slowdown in the motility of all parts of the digestive system, the formation of constipation, and the activation of fermentation processes. Also, frying in oil produces a significant amount of toxins that reduce immunity and increase the risk of cancer.
  4. Smoked meat.  Many studies have shown a direct relationship between this category of products and the frequency of development and exacerbation of chronic diseases (gastritis, duodenitis, peptic ulcer).
  5. Carbonated drinks. Irritate the gastric mucosa (up to reactive gastritis), increase the absorption of nutrients along with various toxic metabolites, which normally should be neutralized and excreted from the body.
  6. Instant noodles. It contains a lot of harmful substances (a lot of sodium, a lot of fats), but the main problem for the stomach is an almost complete stop of motor skills for a while (from 45 minutes to 2-3 hours). Noodles quickly occupy the entire free volume of the stomach and stay in it for primary digestion, at this time the gastral-duodenal sphincter opens and bile is thrown. In the future, this leads to the formation of gastritis and various pathologies of evacuation of stomach contents.
Of course, the list of harmful products is much wider, but the most dangerous components are described above. To maintain the health of the stomach, you should consume more natural substances that have not been subjected to prolonged treatment.

5 rules of a gentle diet for the stomach

To maintain the health of the stomach, it is necessary to follow certain recommendations on proper nutrition. This will not only improve the symptoms of existing diseases, but also prevent the appearance of new ones.

Since mechanical, chemical or thermal irritation of a sick stomach with food is unacceptable, it is necessary to follow a sparing diet.

The following recommendations must be followed:

  1. Observe the multiplicity of nutrition. It is recommended to eat 5-6 times a day in small portions to create an even load on the digestive system.
  2. Exclude substances that irritate the gastric mucosa from the menu. This group includes: strong broths based on meat or fish, any fried food, canned foods, smoked meats, seasonings and spices (hot pepper, garlic, onion), pickles, marinades, carbonated foods, wines, coffee, citrus fruits. It is not worth giving up on them at all, but it is necessary to limit them. The food should be well chewed, and the serving temperature is close to or slightly higher than body temperature.
  3. Add foods to the diet that can bind and neutralize hydrochloric acid. Such medicinal products are eggs, milk and dairy products, boiled meat and fish.
  4. Use enveloping agents (jelly, porridge, mousse, jelly, grated or baked apples).
  5. Give up bad habits (alcoholic beverages and smoking).
It is also extremely important to take food in a calm atmosphere and at a measured pace (chewing well and enveloping each lump of food with saliva), without being distracted by the action of extraneous stimuli (cell phone, TV, conversations).

Conclusion

Thus, the health of the stomach directly depends on the culture of nutrition. Preference should be given to natural products that contain a large amount of useful substances and exclude components that can have a mechanical, chemical or thermal effect on the gastric mucosa.