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In the early morning of the weekend, Li Weihong stepped into the old dragon head park in the south of the city alone. The elderly here always like to get together and exchange life hacks and health rumors.
As he strolled under the tree, a phrase floated in his ear: "You know what? I've also heard the saying that tomatoes may not be very friendly to the stomach of some older people. Everyone should still pay attention to the amount when eating, and watch their body reaction to adjust. This made Li Weihong a little curious and a little confused, because his wife Xiaomei not only loves tomatoes, but also often uses them to make soups or salads.
Coincidentally, on this day, Xiaomei accidentally broke her leg a few days ago and needed to go to the hospital for a reexamination. Li Weihong pushed the wheelchair while thinking about what he had just heard in the park, and decided to ask the doctor when he went to the hospital. People around you are talking in whispers or picking up their phones to pass the time. Li Weihong looked around and noticed several elderly patients, whose family members were busy flipping through pamphlets on diet and health.
When it was their turn, Xiaomei was wheeled into the consultation room, where doctors examined her leg injuries and asked about some recovery. Li Weihong saw that the timing was right, so he threw out his doubts: "Doctor, I heard in the park today that the elderly should eat less tomatoes, is this true?" ”
"Actually, tomatoes do have many health benefits, but for specific groups of older people, especially those with certain disease backgrounds, moderate amounts are really needed," the doctor explains. The doctor's words made Li Weihong more and more curious.
The doctor went on to explain: "In fact, tomatoes contain oxalic acid and lycopene, which are quite beneficial to most people. For the elderly with poor kidney function, eating more oxalic acid-containing foods may increase the burden on the kidneys and affect the detoxification function. In addition, tomatoes are alkaline foods, and excessive consumption may affect the acid-base balance in the body. ”
When talking about the possible adverse effects of excessive consumption of tomatoes in the elderly, we usually think of the rich nutrients in tomatoes, such as vitamin C, potassium and lycopene, which are all great health benefits.
However, in specific cases, some components of tomatoes can also be taxing on the body, especially in older age groups. This is not to say that tomatoes are inherently harmful, but rather to emphasize that dietary modifications in specific health conditions need to be carefully considered.
Tomatoes are rich in potassium, a mineral that is very important to us. However, for those older people with renal insufficiency, foods high in potassium may not be a good choice.
People with kidney disease have difficulty processing potassium in their bodies, and if potassium levels are too high, it can also cause heart problems and may even lead to cardiac arrest. Therefore, for this part of the elderly, even healthy tomatoes need to be consumed in moderation.
Then, let's talk about the oxalic acid content in tomatoes. Oxalic acid is a common plant ingredient that is also found in tomatoes, but it is usually not high. This has an impact on our dietary choices, especially for those who need to control their oxalic acid intake. However, oxalic acid may also combine with calcium in the body to form calcium oxalate, which is difficult to absorb and can form kidney stones.
Especially in older people, excessive oxalic acid intake is more likely to contribute to this problem due to slower metabolism and decreased kidney function. Therefore, foods that are high in oxalic acid, such as tomatoes, may need to be limited in older adults with a history of kidney stones.
Then there's lycopene, a powerful antioxidant in tomatoes that helps reduce the production of free radicals and reduce the risk of many chronic diseases. Lycopene is especially beneficial for cardiovascular health and can help reduce the risk of heart disease and hardening of the arteries.
However, high doses of lycopene may interact with some medications, especially those that are often used by older people. The effects of these drugs may be amplified by the involvement of lycopene, leading to an increased risk of bleeding. So, for older people who are taking related medications, excessive consumption of lycopene-rich tomatoes may need to be careful.
The above discussion illustrates that while tomatoes are a nutritious food and their health benefits are well known, tomato intake requires more caution in specific health conditions. Older people should also pay attention to their health status while enjoying the delicious taste and health benefits of tomatoes and adjust their diet under the guidance of a doctor.
When talking about gastrointestinal health, in addition to tomatoes, there are several fruits and vegetables that should also be eaten in moderation under certain circumstances. We often think of fruits and vegetables as good and blindly pursue "more is better", but in fact, for people with certain gastrointestinal problems, especially the elderly, excessive intake of certain fruits and vegetables can also cause discomfort or aggravate the condition.
The first thing to mention is the onion. Onions are rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, fiber, and some sulfur compounds, which are very beneficial in preventing heart disease and certain types of cancer.
However, onions are also a type of high-FODMAP food and are rich in fermentable carbohydrates, which can be bad news for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Foods with high FODMAPS can ferment during digestion to produce gas, causing bloating, cramps, and even diarrhea.
Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable, which contains more insoluble fiber, which may cause indigestion in older people with weakened digestive systems. In addition, the fermentation process of broccoli in the intestines may produce more gas, which may cause abdominal discomfort or aggravate symptoms in people with gastrointestinal problems.
Let's talk about citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits. These fruits are rich in vitamin C and fiber, which are great for health, but they also contain more fruit acids, which may not be so friendly for people with hyperacidity or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Let's talk about garlic. Although garlic is known as a natural antibiotic with powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, it is also a high-FODMAP food.
For people with irritable bowel syndrome, certain sugars in garlic can ferment during digestion, causing excessive gas production, bloating, or other digestive discomforts. Therefore, for people with sensitive stomachs, especially the elderly, it is recommended to limit the intake of garlic in their daily diet.
While fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet, it is essential for older adults with certain health conditions to adjust their intake. This will not only help them avoid possible health risks, but also improve their quality of life through a diet that is more suitable for their conditions.
(The names in the article are pseudonyms) #头条首发大赛#
What do you think about eating tomatoes in older people? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!
Resources
[1] Huang Haiqun, Research status of diet-related quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, Modern Medicine and Health, 2024-06-15