Text| Green sac health science
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In Chinese folklore, there is a saying: "A pork belly has ten medicines". Many people believe that pork belly, that is, the stomach of pigs, is not only delicious, but also medicative, especially for people with stomach problems, eating pork belly seems to have become a folk remedy.
However, how much medical basis is there for this claim? Can pork belly really nourish the stomach? Is eating pork belly good for the body? These questions have sparked the curiosity of many people.
As a doctor, I often meet patients who ask me if pork belly can really cure stomach problems, and is it really more effective than medicine as the saying goes. Today, we're going to take a closer look at this question and see what are the similarities and differences between the perspective of modern medicine and traditional concepts.
Nutritional value of pork belly: does it really have magical benefits?
As a common ingredient, pork belly is loved by people. It is rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals. However, is the nutritional value of pork belly really so miraculous that it can achieve the effect of "ten pairs of medicines"? That's what we're going to explore first.
Pork belly is rich in high-quality protein, especially collagen and elastin, which help repair the body's tissues and promote cell regeneration. Therefore, many people believe that pork belly has a repairing effect on the stomach and can help relieve stomach discomfort.
The amino acids in pork belly also help to improve immunity to a certain extent. Especially for those with weak gastrointestinal function, regular consumption of pork belly may help supplement nutrition and enhance the function of the gastrointestinal tract.
However, despite the fact that pork belly is rich in protein and other nutrients, there is no conclusive evidence from the perspective of modern medicine that it can directly "nourish the stomach" or "cure stomach diseases".
The occurrence of gastric disease is often related to various factors such as gastric acid secretion, Helicobacter pylori infection, and gastric mucosal injury. Although pork belly contains a certain amount of collagen, it does not have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, and it cannot directly repair the gastric mucosa. Therefore, it is not wise to rely too much on pork belly for "stomach nourishment".
From another point of view, pork belly is a high-protein, low-fat ingredient, and moderate consumption is beneficial to the body, but excessive consumption may lead to indigestion.
Especially for some people with weak gastrointestinal function, excessive intake of high-protein foods may increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, which is counterproductive.
Pork belly and traditional Chinese medicine: can it really cure stomach problems?
In the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, pork belly is indeed believed to have a certain effect of "nourishing the spleen and stomach". Traditional Chinese medicine believes that pork belly is warm and sweet, and enters the spleen and stomach meridians, which has the effect of replenishing deficiency and invigorating qi and strengthening the spleen. Especially in some dietary remedies, pork belly is widely used to regulate symptoms such as weak spleen and stomach, loss of appetite, and stomach cold.
For example, common dietary remedies such as pork belly boiled chicken soup and pork belly boiled atractylodes are often recommended for those who have symptoms of stomach cold or weak spleen and stomach. The principle of these dietary remedies is that pork belly is warm, which can help warm and replenish the spleen and stomach, and when used in combination with other medicinal materials, it can enhance its curative effect and achieve the purpose of regulating the stomach and intestines.
However, the "weakness of the spleen and stomach" mentioned in traditional Chinese medicine is not completely synonymous with stomach diseases in modern medicine. Weakness of the spleen and stomach is more like a functional dyspepsia, which is mainly manifested by symptoms such as loss of appetite and stomach fullness. Gastric diseases in modern medicine include more complex pathological processes such as gastric ulcers, gastritis, and gastric hyperacidity.
Therefore, although pork belly has a certain role in regulating the spleen and stomach in traditional Chinese medicine, it cannot be used as the main means of treating stomach problems. For those who have been diagnosed with stomach problems, it is still necessary to follow the doctor's advice for formal medication and lifestyle modifications.
In the consultation room, I met an old man in his 60s who had been suffering from stomach discomfort for a long time, and he heard that pork belly can nourish his stomach, so he ate pork belly soup every day. A few months later, his stomach pain worsened instead of abating, and he eventually came to the hospital.
After examination, the old man was diagnosed with chronic gastritis, and the gastrointestinal tract was overburdened due to long-term consumption of high-protein foods. This case illustrates that blindly believing that pork belly can cure stomach problems may lead to delayed disease.
The stomach-nourishing effect of pork belly: a blend of science and folk experience
Many people believe in the saying "one pork belly ten medicines" and think that pork belly has a miraculous effect on stomach problems, especially those who have symptoms such as stomach cold and stomach bloating, and have incorporated pork belly into their daily diets.
Some people say that after eating pork belly a few times, the stomach no longer hurts, as if it really has a miraculous curative effect. As a result, the stomach-nourishing effect of pork belly has spread more and more widely among the people, and it has even been regarded as a "secret recipe" for treating stomach diseases. So, can pork belly really be so magical?
Pork belly is indeed rich in nutrients, including high protein content, and rich in vitamins and minerals, which can provide sufficient nutritional support for the body.
Especially for those with weak gastrointestinal function and poor digestion, moderate intake of high-protein foods such as pork belly does help to enhance physical fitness and improve immunity. However, this effect is mainly reflected in nutritional supplementation and physical conditioning, rather than directly treating stomach problems.
Modern medical research has shown that the causes of gastric diseases are complex, and the occurrence of most gastric diseases is related to Helicobacter pylori infection, abnormal gastric acid secretion, gastric mucosal damage and other factors.
Although pork belly is rich in protein, it does not have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and other drug effects, nor can it directly repair the damaged gastric mucosa. Therefore, relying solely on pork belly to treat stomach problems is undoubtedly a misunderstanding of stomach disease treatment.
Once, I saw a young white-collar worker who worked overtime for a long time and ate irregularly, which caused stomach discomfort and often felt acid reflux. Hearing from a friend that pork belly can nourish the stomach, she began to eat pork belly frequently, and even made pork belly soup two or three times a week.
As a result, her acid reflux symptoms worsened rather than lessened. After examination, her gastric mucosa has been damaged to a certain extent, which can only be recovered through medication and strict dietary conditioning. This patient's experience once again confirms the truth that no matter how good the ingredients are, they cannot replace scientific treatments.
The stomach-nourishing effect of pork belly is more reflected in long-term conditioning and nourishment. Its temperament is warm and sweet, it can warm and replenish the spleen and stomach, and is suitable for those with weak spleen and stomach and indigestion. However, for people who already have clear symptoms of stomach problems, pork belly can only be used as an auxiliary dietary therapy, and cannot replace medicine or professional treatment.
Summary: Although pork belly is nutritious, it is not a "miracle drug"
As a high-protein, low-fat ingredient, pork belly is beneficial to the body when eaten in moderation, especially for people with weak gastrointestinal function. However, pork belly is not a "miracle cure" and cannot replace formal stomach treatment. For those who have been diagnosed with stomach problems, it is still necessary to follow medical advice and proceed with systemic treatment.
bibliography
ZHAO Zhigang. Nutritional and Therapeutic Value of Pork Belly. China Food Journal, 2020.