Worst Foods For Digestive Health
Did you know that some of your favorite foods are not good for your digestive system? For instance, the salty French fries you eat with burgers can cause bloating. A high consumption of processed meat can trigger problems ranging from diverticulitis to colon cancer, according to gastroenterologists—doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating disorders of the digestive tract.
Most doctors and nutritionists understand that trying to give up your favorite foods is difficult and may even cause you to eat more of these foods than you should. This is why eating certain foods in moderation is the way to go. However, there are some foods that even gastroenterologists say they avoid most or all of the time.
The HuffPost interviewed gastroenterologists and asked them what foods they do not eat or rarely eat. The following are their answers:
1. Protein bars
Who would have thought that some protein bars are unhealthy? Dr. Harmony Allison, a gastroenterologist at Tufts Medical Center, said she never eats highly processed protein bars because they have “lots of additives that are of unknown utility.” They can also cause bloating and gas, she added.
Dr. Allison believes some protein bars, particularly the ones made with real fruit and nuts, are better than others. The doctor has an alternative to eating highly processed protein bars. “You can get the same amount of protein in a cup of milk, a serving of peanut butter, nuts, or pumpkin seeds,” she said.
2. Soda
Sodas are great for quenching thirst and washing down hamburgers and hotdogs. However, consuming too much soda or other sugary drinks is not a good habit to develop.
“While they can be easy on the way down, these drinks are linked to chronic conditions as well, such as diabetes and heart disease,” said Dr. Simon C. Matthews, a gastroenterologist at Johns Hopkins and advisory board member to Vivante Health.
Soda and sugary drinks can also “trigger gastrointestinal symptoms of bloating, burping, and reflux, particularly when combined in their carbonated and caffeinated forms,’ Dr. Matthews added.
3. Steak, Hot Dogs, and Other Processed Meats
Hamburgers and hot dogs are typically the main fare at summer cookouts. Guests are in for a treat if the host cooks flavorful steaks on a grill. However, gastroenterologists who attend these events will likely avoid eating these foods.
Dr. Reezwana Chowdhury, a gastroenterologist at Johns Hopkins, avoids eating red meat, especially the highly popular steak and hamburger. Dr. Rabia De Latour, a gastroenterologist and assistant professor of medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, also avoids processed meats and cold cuts, as well. Both doctors gave the same reason: A high consumption of red meat and processed meat can increase the risk of colon cancer and colon polyps.
“Data has linked the ingestion of red and processed meats four or more times per week to as high as a 20% increased risk of colon cancer,” Dr. De Latour said.
Dr. Chowdhury added, “They are high in saturated fats, but if you are going to consume them, the amount consumed is important: The risk of colon cancer is higher in those who consume greater than 100 grams per day (that’s just under a quarter of a pound).”
4. Deep-fried fish or chicken
The hot oil in a deep fryer makes a sizzling sound as pieces of chicken or fish are dropped into it. The sound triggers an anticipation of eating the fried foods. While your mouth may enjoy the taste of golden brown fish or chicken, your gut may have difficulty digesting the food because of the oil.
“Studies have shown that frying oil could adversely modulate the gut microbiome, leading to exacerbation of atherosclerosis (buildup of fat and other substances on the artery walls),” explained Dr. Mahmoud Ghannoum, a microbiome researcher and co-founder of BIOHM. This buildup in the long term can lead to heart attack, stroke, and other serious health consequences.
5. White bread
White bread is made of refined grains, which means the bran and germ are removed during processing. Dr. Shilpa Grover, the director of the onco-gastroenterology program in the division of gastroenterology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, noted that studies investigating dietary patterns have “clearly shown” that a high intake of refined grains, as well as red and processed meat, is linked to the risk of diverticulitis—a condition where small pouches in the digestive tract become inflamed or infected, causing abdominal pain and other discomforts.
However, gut health isn’t the only concern when consuming a diet rich in red meat and refined grains.
“Those same diets recommended to decrease the risk of health conditions such as diabetes, coronary artery disease and cancer, including colorectal cancer, are also likely to decrease the risk of diverticulitis,” she said.
You won’t need to skip a cookout this summer featuring hot dogs and burgers if you eat these and other processed foods only occasionally and regularly consume foods that promote your gut health.
Source Link:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/worst-foods-for-digestion-health_l_6411d77ce4b0a3902d2e1014
