Everyone has long known that fast food is not good for the human body, and it is better to abandon it in favor of vegetables and fruits. But there are three categories of foods that are particularly dangerous for digestion. What food, according to scientists, is considered the most harmful to our intestines and why, read this article.
Take care of your intestines from a young age!
When we talk about unsafe food, the first thing we think about is student gastritis or a bachelor’s disease — a stomach ulcer. Meanwhile, recent research by scientists has shown that when we eat anything, we first put our intestines at risk. This organ is not for nothing called the second heart of man: it is responsible for the breakdown and absorption of nutrients, and the action of microorganisms that live in almost all its departments (the so-called intestinal microbiota), is due to our immunity. So, what should you definitely avoid in your daily menu if you want to have a healthy gut?
Processed meat
Sausage, carbonates, sausages, loin, ham and other processed meats contain nitrosamines — dangerous substances that can lead to bowel cancer.
In addition, all these products contain a large percentage of various harmful additives-TRANS fats, preservatives, flavor enhancers, thickeners, stabilizers, etc. You can’t imagine a trip to the country without a sandwich with your favorite sausage? Try replacing it with homemade sausages made from natural meat and ready-made shells, which you can buy today at any farm store.
Roasted meat
In the process of frying any type of meat, carcinogens are formed. And if fat varieties were used (pork, lamb, beef), then the process of digestion of such food in the intestines is delayed. This has a detrimental effect on its mucosa, causing inflammatory processes and pathological seals in the tissues.
But what about avid meat eaters who are willing to risk their health just to eat a fragrant barbecue or toasted roast beef? It’s simple — you don’t have to take risks. Baked meat (in a cooking sleeve or special foil) tastes no worse, you just have to try it.
Strong alcohol
Disputes about the harm of any alcohol in medical circles do not subside. But if the benefits of red wine are still being discussed by scientists due to the presence of useful anthocyanins and resveratrol, which slow down aging, then this cannot be said about vodka, cognac, whiskey and other strong alcoholic beverages.
On the contrary: all drinks with a high alcohol content lead to the fact that the intestines stop absorbing protein, vitamins and other useful substances and trace elements. Therefore, isn’t it safer to give up alcohol “with a degree” in favor of dry red wine? It is no coincidence that it is part of the famous Mediterranean diet, which is called the diet of centenarians.
6 rules for a healthy gut
to avoid digestive problems, doctors strongly recommend that you follow six simple rules in your daily life.
1. Eliminate the irritating factor
Make sure that the food you eat does not cause chemical or mechanical irritation to the stomach and intestines. To do this, it should not be very cold or hot. As for the cooking method, it is better to replace frying and Smoking with cooking, stewing or baking in the oven.
2. Include fiber in the menu
the Coarse fibers found in unprocessed cereals and most plant foods are needed by our intestines as much as daily brushing is needed by our teeth.
For the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, doctors recommend using 25 g of fiber per day. Most of it is found in plums, pears, apples and wheat bran.
3. Eat on a fractional basis
The number of meals a day is best divided into 4-6 times at regular intervals. This mode has a beneficial effect on the work of the intestines, protecting it from “overwork”. At the same time, in addition to vegetables and fruits, the daily diet must contain kefir and other fermented milk products that contribute to the normal state of the intestinal microflora.
4. Drink more water
Compliance with the drinking regime is the key to a healthy bowel for many years to come. Doctors recommend drinking 1.5-2 liters of water a day.
At the same time, it is better to start your day with a glass of warm water, drunk in small sips. This procedure is a kind of “washing” for the intestines, which allows you to start its work in full.
5. Don’t skimp on sleep!
This advice may seem paradoxical only at first glance. Our body is a complex closed system where all processes are interconnected. Therefore, chronic lack of sleep negatively affects not only the nervous system, but also the digestive tract: such stress reduces the immune system and provokes inflammatory bowel diseases. Doctors recommend setting aside at least 8 hours of sleep a day.
6. Avoid constipation
Even if you do not abuse the above products, there is a high risk of another “silent enemy” of the intestine — constipation. In the younger generation (and not only, to be honest), it happens due to an incorrect lifestyle: they move little, eat monotonously, forget to drink the notorious 1.5 liters of water a day. Have you recognized yourself yet? But there are other factors that make the situation worse. In particular, constipation occurs during pregnancy, in the elderly, and after surgery. All these cases have one thing in common — a weakening of the motor function of the gastrointestinal tract. It turns out that almost no one is immune from this problem!