[This content is a story-based medical science article, please read it rationally, and do not sit down]
"Doctor, what's wrong with me?" Xiao Wang sat in the consultation room and asked anxiously.
"Xiao Wang, your situation is a bit tricky." Dr. Zhang frowned, staring at the examination report in his hand. "Your intestinal flora is seriously out of balance, and your liver function indicators are not normal. Have you seen any recent changes in your diet? "
Xiao Wang scratched his head, thought for a moment and said, "It's nothing special, it's just that recently, in order to lose weight, I eat oatmeal for breakfast every day." "
Dr. Zhang raised his eyebrows and nodded thoughtfully: "Oatmeal? Well, that's a clue. "
This can't help but remind me of a news I saw a few days ago: the oatmeal sampling report showed that nearly 8 percent of the samples exceeded the mold standard, and 1 batch of coliform bacteria exceeded the standard by 650 times! This shocking number makes people gasp. We hold an oatmeal bowl every day, thinking we're enjoying a healthy and delicious taste, but we may be stuffing a lot of mold and E. coli into our stomachs.
Xiao Wang is a 28-year-old white-collar worker who is busy with work and stressful life. In order to stay in shape, he began to try various "healthy foods". Oatmeal became his first choice because of its low-fat and high-fiber properties. Who would have thought that this seemingly healthy choice would become an invisible killer of his health.
"Xiao Wang, do you know? Excessive ingestion of mold may lead to abnormal liver function and even liver cancer. Dr. Zhang said in a serious tone. Excessive coliform bacteria may cause symptoms such as gastroenteritis and diarrhea. Have you been experiencing a lot of abdominal discomfort lately? "
Xiao Wang slapped his thigh: "It's not!" I thought it was a stressful job! "
Dr. Zhang sighed and went on to explain, "The toxins produced by molds can cause harm to the human body in many ways, they can cause acute or chronic poisoning, affecting multiple organs such as the liver, kidneys, nervous system, etc., and may even cause cancer if ingested in the long term. "
Hearing this, Xiao Wang's face turned pale. He never imagined that his "healthy life" would bury such a big hidden danger.
"So what is the problem of excessive coliform bacteria?" Xiao Wang asked cautiously.
"Coliform bacteria are an important indicator of gut health, and exceeding them means that food is contaminated with feces, which can cause problems such as acute gastroenteritis and food poisoning," explains Dr Zhang. In severe cases, it may also lead to an imbalance in the intestinal flora and affect the body's immune system. "
Xiao Wang broke out in a cold sweat when he heard this. He recalled that he had always felt tired and his immunity had weakened recently, and it turned out that this was how he came!
"Doctor, what should I do?" Xiao Wang asked suspiciously.
Dr. Zhang comforted, "Don't worry, it's a good thing to find out in time." We do a thorough examination and then develop a targeted treatment plan. At the same time, you should stop eating those oatmeal immediately, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and supplement with probiotics. "
Xiao Wang nodded again and again, secretly glad that he had sought medical attention in time. But he still couldn't help asking: "Doctor, since oatmeal is so unreliable, why are so many people still recommending it?" "
Dr. Zhang smiled and said, "Oats are good ingredients in their own right, rich in dietary fiber and β-glucan, which really help lower cholesterol and control blood sugar, but the problem is in the processing and storage. If the raw materials and production environment are unhygienic, or if they are not stored properly, mold and harmful bacteria can easily grow. "
"So how can we ordinary consumers identify and prevent it?" Xiao Wang asked.
Dr. Zhang patiently replied: "First of all, when purchasing, we should pay attention to whether the packaging is complete and whether the production date is within the expiration date. Secondly, after opening, it should be sealed and stored in a cool and dry place, and it is best to consume it within a month. In addition, it is best to brew with boiling water before eating, which can kill some bacteria. Finally, if you find that the oatmeal has an off-flavor, moldy or clumpy atmosphere, you must not eat it. "
Xiao Wang nodded thoughtfully: "I see." It seems that you really have to keep your eyes open when you buy things in the future! "
Dr. Zhang agreed, "That's right, 'food is the sky', and a healthy diet is the foundation of everything. We need to learn to distinguish between food safety and not be blinded by the label of 'healthy food'. "
After leaving the clinic, Xiao Wang was in a complicated mood, he was glad that he had found the problem in time, but he was also afraid of his blind following. He decided to pay more attention to food safety in the future and stop blindly following the so-called "healthy food" trend.
This case is a wake-up call for us that in the pursuit of health, we must not only look at the surface, but also learn to discern. Food safety concerns everyone's health, and we should be vigilant and learn to identify food safety hazards. At the same time, the relevant authorities should also strengthen supervision to ensure that the food circulating in the market meets safety standards.
Health shouldn't be an adventure, let's work together to create a truly safe and healthy eating environment for ourselves and our families. After all, life is precious, and health is even more expensive. Each of us should be the first guardian of our own health, using wisdom and prudence to protect our "mouth blessings".