Health Relieve the stomach on Christmas

Stomach-sparing banquet - a contradiction?

12/11/2014

At Christmas, most people in this country are overcrowding culinary delights. „Too much, too hot, too fast“, Peter Meier from the German Society for Gastroenterology, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (DGVS) in Hamburg on the physical stress on the Christmas days. And almost always too fat. Mostly there are "plenty of lookups and everyone is attacking, even though they are already full". The stomach comes to its "stretch limit and a leaden feeling of fullness is spreading".

Consciously enjoy
What does the feeling of fullness tell us? "The stomach is alarm that he is overcrowded," explains Sebastian Haag of the Gastro-Liga in Wiesbaden. Because only after the pre-digestion can the stomach deliver the food in smaller portions for further digestion into the small intestine.

Even fast food poses a problem for the stomach: "The body only signals after 15 to 20 minutes that it is full," says Gisela Olias from the German Institute for Nutrition Research in Potsdam. She advises to pay attention to the feeling of satiety. "Especially at Christmas you can eat in peace, you should enjoy and celebrate the meal together." Meier adds: "In between you should take breaks."
Thus, an overload of the stomach can be prevented by overcrowding. "Then the muscles of the stomach no longer have any strength and go limp," explains Meier.

Too greasy food
Fat is also an important factor on Christmas days. The warmer the food, the more fat a person can absorb. For digestion, however, it is a problem because the stomach has to struggle with fat especially: "It also increases the retention time of the food in the stomach," explains Haag. Too high-fat food is therefore not recommended. The German Society for Nutrition (DGE) in Bonn therefore advises a more conscious handling of fat.

Assist digestion - seek alternatives
In addition to using digestive spices such as aniseed, caraway or fennel, Olias recommends that when choosing dishes: "A lean alternative to goose is turkey or chicken." Or in the course of multi-course menus to dispense with one or the other gear. For example, a hors d'oeuvre can be used as an appetizer: "You should mix in chicory, rocket or endive salad," advises Haag. Because these contain many digestive Bitterstoffe. However, these are not scientifically proven findings: "It belongs more in the field of folk medicine, for centuries, worked with bitter substances in gastrointestinal problems," explains Meier. Naturopathy also offers numerous home remedies to stimulate digestion.

Espresso or herbal tea instead of bittersweet
From the commonly used digestive schnapps, however, the scientists advise against. He makes sure that the food lingers longer in the stomach. "In addition, greasy food and alcohol relax the sphincter on top of the stomach," says Haag. Heartburn can be the result. If you still reach for alcohol, you should make sure that it is a drink that has enough bitter substances and is not sweet. Because even here it is the bitter substances that actually stimulate digestion, while the alcohol rather disturbing acts on the digestive system. Accordingly, Olias advises: "Instead of herbal liquor rather herbal tea." Anise, caraway or fennel are also the means of choice here. Also, chamomile tea is a tried and tested home remedy. However, there are other tips and home remedies for heartburn that come into question. In addition to the extensive chewing (fletching) here are other means of naturopathy to call, for example. Calamus root, peppermint or yarrow. There are also the Schüssler minerals that stimulate digestion and help to manage the heavy diet.

Exercise helps too
The good old walk is also a means to stimulate digestion. "The circulation gets going and the circulation in the gastrointestinal tract is improved," says Meier. "The circulation gets going and the circulation in the gastrointestinal tract is improved," Meier continues. Even small naps help further. However, the researchers also give the all-clear. "If you hit the strings for two or three weeks, you do not risk long-term digestive problems," explains Haag. Those who return to the lighter fare afterwards can enjoy the delicacies over the holidays. (Jp)