Digestive liquor is counterproductive

Schnapps has an adverse effect on digestion

27/12/2013

Schnapps is not suitable for stimulating digestion. Although digestive schnapps enjoys a high level of popularity, especially after greasy meals such as the Christmas feast, in the view of doctors this does not show the promised effect. In fact, schnapps may even have a negative effect on digestion, according to a Swiss study from 2010.

The Swiss researchers have shown in their study that liquor does not contribute to an improvement in digestion, but the digestive activity is instead even affected by the alcohol, reports the news magazine „Mirror online“. The scientists assume that the alcohol blocks the nerves of the stomach muscles and therefore the digestion proceeds more slowly. Therefore, from a point of view after a meal, the digestion is rather discouraged.

Alcohol slows down digestion
Although the Swiss study was based on only a sample of 20 subjects, the researchers came to a relatively clear conclusion. They allowed the study participants to eat a hearty cheese fondue that, with its fat content of 32 percent, poses a special challenge for digestion. For dinner, some participants were given black tea, others drank 300 milliliters of wine. After the cheese fondue there was liquor or water. Loud „Mirror online“ the result was clear. As alcohol consumption increased, digestion continued to decline. Already the wine has significantly slowed the emptying of the stomach. If the subjects also drank digestive schnapps, the digestion was even slower.

Bitter substances with a positive effect
The causes of the observed effect were explained by the director of the Helios Gastroenterology Clinic in Wuppertal, Christian Prinz „Mirror online“, that „the stomach is basically a big muscle that is pumping continuously and emptying the food towards the gut.“ The alcohol would probably block nerves that stimulate the stomach to pump, the practitioner continued. „I am a true enemy of brandy after eating“, stressed Prince, adding: „In general, I do not see a positive approach to health for high-proof people.“ On the other hand, a walk after dinner is recommended, but espresso can also have a positive effect due to the bitter substances it contains.

Aperitif rather recommended as a digestive brandy
However, some alcoholic beverages actually have a beneficial effect on digestion, according to the doctor. Here, the ingredients, the intake and the time of ingestion play an essential role. Recommended for example „a sherry before dinner“ or a port, a pilsner and some prosecco varieties as an aperitif. The contained bitter substances would stimulate special cells in the gastric mucosa to release acid, which promotes digestion or simplifies the pre-digestion of food. The alcohol contained play no role in this effect. So show an espresso, as regards the bitter substances, in principle, the same effect, explained the stomach specialist. Here, however, the espresso may possibly have a detrimental effect on the sense of taste. This may also apply to an aperitif, which is why Prince advises to take this half an hour before eating. „Then the taste evaporates again until you eat, and you can fully enjoy the meal“, explained the expert.

Walk instead of digestive schnapps
Instead of trying to stimulate digestion with aperitif or digestive schnapps, a leisurely walk should be taken after a hearty meal, said the stomach specialist. Because this helps to empty the stomach faster. According to Prince has „The movement of the abdominal wall probably has a direct impact on the pacemaker cells in the stomach“, which in turn dictate the timing with which the food is transported towards the intestine. (Fp)