Uncover 9 secrets of the digestive tract

If you think that the digestive tract is just a simple channel that performs the functions of chewing, swallowing, absorption, and excretion, that would be too one-sided. Popular Health Network tells us 9 secrets about the digestive tract.

Chewing helps control belly size

Healthy eating requires chewing slowly and thoroughly. Grinding food makes it easier to digest, and chewing can send a signal to the stomach to secrete gastric acid. Chewing also helps you maintain a slim figure. A study of 450 Japanese women found that those who chewed their meals more often had an average waist circumference that was more than 2.5 cm smaller than those who ate soft foods that did not require much chewing.

Ginger helps break down fat

Fat can easily cause bloating and pose a challenge to the digestive system. Certain spices, especially ginger, can help digest fat. Studies have shown that the seasoning can stimulate bile secretion and enhance pancreatic function, which are beneficial to the digestion of fat.

Great potential but don’t overload

The stomach has great potential. When empty, its capacity is less than 50 ml, but when full, it can hold up to nearly 2000 ml of food. However, being able to hold more food does not mean there is no harm. Eating too much will cause the stomach to over-expand, which is very bad for your health. So, never test how much your stomach can hold!

No saliva, no taste

Saliva is produced all the time, and people secrete about 1.5 liters of saliva every day. Don't underestimate it. Without saliva, not only will your mouth feel dry, but you will also be unable to taste anything, and it will even be difficult to swallow food and speak.

Gastric mucosa is renewed every four to five days

The stomach secretes hydrochloric acid to digest food. Hydrochloric acid is very corrosive and can even dissolve metals, not to mention its destructive power to flesh and blood. To avoid damage, the gastric mucosa is renewed every 4 to 5 days.

Some reflux has no symptoms

Just because you've never experienced a burning sensation in your throat doesn't mean that acid reflux doesn't occur. Symptoms occur because stomach acid refluxes into the lungs or throat. If it only reaches the chest cavity, you may not feel similar symptoms.

Deep breathing can relieve reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux is mostly caused by gastric motility disorders, but if drugs are used to help the stomach "work", it may interfere with the normal acid secretion and peristalsis of the stomach. When you take a deep breath, less air enters the gastrointestinal tract and makes the lower esophageal sphincter stronger, thereby preventing gastroesophageal reflux. An Austrian study showed that gastroesophageal reflux can be significantly improved by practicing deep breathing exercises for one month.

Aerobic exercise boosts energy

It would be best if you could do some aerobic exercise one hour after eating and stick to it for a long time. Aerobic exercise keeps the muscles in your digestive tract in good shape, allowing them to contract more powerfully, making it easier for food to move down.

Too much stress affects digestion

When the psychological pressure is too great, the central nervous system may issue instructions to reduce blood supply to the gastrointestinal tract, and various digestive problems will follow.