Can Pig Stomach Really Nourish Your Stomach? A Doctor Tells You the Truth!

Can Pig Stomach Really Nourish Your Stomach? A Doctor Tells You the Truth!"Your gastritis needs attention. If you keep delaying treatment, it might develop into chronic gastritis," Dr

Can Pig Stomach Really Nourish Your Stomach? A Doctor Tells You the Truth!

"Your gastritis needs attention. If you keep delaying treatment, it might develop into chronic gastritis," Dr. Zhang said with concern, glancing at Mr. Li's physical examination report and taking a sip of tea. On a summer afternoon, sunlight filtered through the leaves of the plane trees in the park, casting dappled shadows on the ground. A group of elderly gentlemen gathered around a chessboard, engaged in heated discussion. Li Jianguo, a recently retired middle school Chinese language teacher, watched the game, his attention drawn to their conversation about health. During the discussion, Mr. Wang suddenly said, "My old stomach problem seems to have improved a lot recently, thanks to pig stomach soup. As the saying goes, 'One pig stomach is worth ten doses of medicine,' it's truly effective!"

Mr. Li's heart stirred upon hearing this. He had suffered from stomach problems since his youth, due to his busy teaching career and irregular eating habits, often skipping meals and relying on fast food. Over time, his stomach problems became a chronic condition. He would experience bloating whenever he got cold, and any hard or spicy food would cause his stomach to churn. Now that he was retired, he finally had the time to take care of his health, but he was reluctant to visit the hospital and hoped to nourish his stomach through diet. After hearing Mr. Wang's testimonial, he thought, "If pig stomach is so magical, why not give it a try?"

The next day, Mr. Li rushed to the market, bought a fresh pig stomach, and went home to make a pot of stew based on a recipe he found online. He thought that one bowl of this would surely alleviate, if not cure, his stomach problems. But he had no idea that pig stomach isn't something to be consumed lightly. After a few days, Mr. Li's stomach felt even worse, with intermittent, dull pain. He finally had to go to the hospital for a checkup.

Dr. Zhang looked at Mr. Li's endoscopy report and shook his head. "Your gastritis is quite severe. Have you eaten anything you shouldn't have recently?" Mr. Li said sheepishly, "I heard that pig stomach is good for the stomach, so I made it a few times, but now my stomach is even worse." The doctor chuckled, "Pig stomach is indeed a good thing, but if you don't eat it correctly, it won't nourish your stomach and could even backfire."

While pig stomach is rich in high-quality protein and collagen, which are beneficial for repairing the gastric mucosa, it is not suitable for everyone and should not be consumed indiscriminately. The doctor explained three common misconceptions about pig stomach and its supposed stomach-nourishing properties to Mr. Li.

The first misconception is overreliance on pig stomach. Many people, having heard that pig stomach is good for the stomach, eat it every day. However, this not only fails to produce results but can actually make the stomach feel worse. The doctor explained that while pig stomach is beneficial, it is a high-fat, high-cholesterol food. For those with gallstones, fatty liver, or high cholesterol, frequent consumption can only increase the burden on the body, leading to indigestion, bloating, and other problems. Especially for the elderly with declining gastrointestinal function, excessive intake of the fat and protein in pig stomach can burden the stomach and hinder digestion.

The second misconception is improper cooking methods. Many people believe that pig stomach is good for the stomach only when cooked in a thick, rich stew, preferably with added spices like pepper for a warming effect. However, this method can be harmful, especially for patients with peptic ulcers or excessive stomach acid, as it is like adding fuel to a fire. The doctor emphasized that pig stomach has a warm nature, and excessive stewing and adding spicy ingredients can not only negate its benefits but also exacerbate damage to the gastric mucosa, leading to more severe stomach problems. Especially in southern regions, pepper pig stomach soup is a popular winter tonic, but it is not suitable for all stomach patients.

The third misconception is ignoring the importance of food pairings. The doctor pointed out that while pig stomach has some nutritional benefits, its effectiveness is limited when eaten alone. It must be paired with other ingredients for optimal results. For example, when stewing pig stomach, you can add ingredients like ginseng, atractylodes rhizome, and other herbs with spleen-tonifying properties. This not only enhances the flavor but also more effectively promotes the regulation and improvement of spleen and stomach function. Eating pig stomach alone cannot promote health and may burden the stomach due to difficulty digesting and absorbing the protein.

Dr. Zhang also mentioned a classic case. A 60-year-old woman had chronic stomach pain and often drank pepper pig stomach soup. Initially, she felt it was effective, as her stomach felt warm. But soon after, her stomach problems worsened, and she had to be hospitalized. Examination revealed that her gastric mucosa had chronic inflammation due to long-term irritation, caused by the pepper and the thick pig stomach soup.

To avoid repeating this mistake, the doctor suggested Mr. Li try stewing pig stomach with some warm and gentle ingredients like goji berries, red dates, and yam. Combining these ingredients with pig stomach can not only nourish the spleen and stomach but also avoid burdening the stomach. When cooking pig stomach, carefully control the amount of seasoning, especially avoiding excessive spicy and irritating ingredients. Instead, opt for lighter cooking methods to preserve the inherent flavor and nutritional value of the food.

After listening to the doctor's advice, Mr. Li felt a sense of relief and decided to stop blindly believing in the so-called "ten doses of medicine." He realized that while dietary therapy is helpful, it is not a permanent solution and should be adjusted based on individual physique and condition. The most important thing for stomach patients is to regulate their eating habits, eat smaller meals more frequently, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and maintain a healthy lifestyle and positive attitude.

However, Mr. Li had a question while putting these suggestions into practice: Since pig stomach is so delicate, does this mean that all stomach patients are unsuitable for consuming it? Or are there specific types of stomach problems that can be better managed through dietary therapy with pig stomach?

Dr. Zhang further explained that different types of stomach problems have different dietary restrictions and not all stomach patients are suitable for eating pig stomach. For patients with stomach yin deficiency, reduced gastric juice secretion, and dryness, consuming pig stomach in moderation can help replenish nutrients and repair the gastric mucosa. However, for those with excessive stomach acid or peptic ulcers, pig stomach may stimulate stomach acid secretion, exacerbating symptoms. Furthermore, people with weak stomach function and indigestion should be cautious when consuming pig stomach, pairing it with gentle ingredients and using appropriate cooking methods. Otherwise, it can worsen the condition instead of providing relief.

Therefore, Dr. Zhang reminded everyone that when choosing dietary therapy, it is crucial to consider individual circumstances and not blindly follow anecdotal remedies or "folk wisdom." It is also critical to avoid relying heavily on a single ingredient. While dietary therapy is essential, the key lies in a scientific and balanced diet and developing healthy lifestyle hbitos. Only then can we truly achieve the goal of nourishing and protecting our stomachs.

Have you ever fallen for the myth of pig stomach nourishing the stomach? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section!

References

[1] Li Xinping, Hao Li. Gastronomic Delicacy - Nourishing Pig Stomach [J]. Health for the Elderly, 2018, (11): 32-33.

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