The stomach is an organ that is ubiquitous in many organisms on Earth, but the peculiarities of its existence manifest themselves differently in different organisms.
In some invertebrates such as insects, earthworms, and fish, the stomach often has a structure with multiple chambers to accommodate different digestive needs. For example, an earthworm's intestine is formed by multiple throats enlarged"Throat pouch"., which can temporarily store food and carry out initial digestion before transferring it to the real digestive organs for deep decomposition.
And in humans and other mammals,The stomach is primarily responsible for digesting and absorbing nutrients. The acidic environment in the stomach breaks down proteins in food and promotes digestive enzyme activity in the gastrointestinal tract. The stomach lining is also able to secrete hormones, such as gastrin and glucagon, to regulate the metabolic state of other organs in the body.
However, although we are both mammals, the human stomach is more special, although we are omnivores, but the stomach feels more fragile than other animals, today we will talk about it, is the human stomach really fragile?
There is an argument that means why tigers can last a long time after eating one meal, while humans not only have to eat three meals a day, but alsoThree meals a day are irregular, and the stomach is prone to problems. Doesn't this mean that the human stomach is more fragile?
In fact, the reason why humans need three meals a day is related to human metabolism and digestive mechanisms. Relative to large carnivores, such as tigers, lions, etcHumans have different body structures and physiological functions, resulting in us needing to eat more often.
First of all, humans are usually much less active than wild animals, so we need a more stable blood sugar level to maintain normal body function. WhileBy dividing our meals into three meals, we can maintain stable blood sugar levels, and:Avoid blood sugar that rises or falls rapidly after a meal.
Secondly,The human stomach is comparatively small in size and can only hold a limited amount of food, hence the need to eat more frequently to meet energy needs. Whereas, large carnivores like tigers have a larger stomach capacity and can consume large amounts of food in a single meal and use the stored energy to meet the body's needs in the following days or weeks.
In addition, when humans started using fire and mastered cooking techniques, the way we digest food also changed. Relative to wildlife,During cooking, humans can make food softer, easier to chew, and easier to digest and absorb. This alteration has led to adaptive changes in the structure and function of the human gastrointestinal system.
Some scientists believe that the human stomach and intestinal system has degraded to some extent. For example, humans have a relatively short intestinal length compared to other primates and are also less capable of breaking down different types of cellulose, which may beSince our recipes have changed, the reason for the fiber content has been reduced. In addition, human teeth have also adapted to different foods, and our dental characteristics are better suited to chewing soft foods rather than hard foods.
However, the human gastrointestinal system is not completely degenerate, but has undergone adaptive changes over a long evolutionary process. Since our body structure and metabolic mechanisms have adapted to the food we cook, we can make better use of energy and digest and absorb the nutrients in our food more efficiently.
In addition, there is also an argument that the human stomach is more fragile, that is, animals can eat raw meat, but humans cannot, isn't this the reason for the fragility of the human stomach?
Compared to other animals, the structure and function of the gastrointestinal system in humans is different. For example, humans have a relatively short intestinal length and a poor ability to break down different types of cellulose, which may be due to the fact that our diets have changed to reduce the amount of cellulose. In addition, human teeth have also adapted to different foods, and our dental characteristics are better suited to chewing soft foods rather than hard foods.
Therefore, human beings needFood is processed and processed through cooking and other things to make it easier to digest and absorb. Although humans can obtain some nutrients by eating some raw foods (such as nuts, fruits, etc.), high-protein foods such as meat need to be heat-treated before they can be effectively absorbed and utilized by the body.
In additionMeat may contain various bacteria, parasites and other pathogenic microorganismsFor example, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Toxoplasmosis, etc. These microorganisms, if consumed without thorough heating, may pose a potential threat to human health and cause various diseases, including food poisoning, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, etc.
Bacteria and parasites in raw meat can come from the meat itself or be contaminated during storage, transportation and processing. If not adequately heated, these microorganisms can remain in the meat and enter the human digestive system, causing health problems.
That is to say,Treating food by means of heating or cooking can effectively kill the disease-causing microorganisms in itIt also makes meat easier for the body to digest and absorb. Cooking can also change the texture and texture of food, making it more suitable for human taste. In addition, many nutrients can be released during the heating process, making it easier for the body to absorb.
Cooking is very important for human health. When properly processed and handled, food is safer and more digestible, which helps to maintain human health. Nutrients such as proteins, vitamins and other nutrients in food are also after heatingIt can be better absorbed by the body and helps to improve the body's resistance and immunity.
High efficiency. Compared to humans, the stomachs of herbivores such as cattle and sheep seem to be very powerful, but from the perspective of efficiency, they are very inefficient. This is mainly:Since the diet of herbivores is mainly plant-based, and the plant cell wall contains indigestible components such as cellulose and lignin, and the plant cell wall is relatively hard and not easily digested.
Therefore, the gastrointestinal system of herbivores is usually divided into four parts:Rumen, reticulum, wrinkled stomach and true stomach。The first three parts often act as fermentation chambers, using symbiotic flora and microorganisms to help digest indigestible components such as cellulose and lignin in plant cell walls, converting them into nutrients that are easier to digest and absorb. WhileThe true stomach is mainly responsible for storing and breaking down nutrients such as proteins and carbohydrates.
Since it takes time to digest components such as cellulose and lignin in plant cell walls, herbivores take longer and energy in the process of digesting and absorbing nutrients.
In addition, due to the large amount of indigestible components such as cellulose and lignin in the plant cell wall, a large amount of crude cellulose remains in the feces of herbivores, which reduces the utilization of nutrients in their digestive tracts.
In contrast,The human gastrointestinal system is more adaptable and can better digest and absorb different types of foodEspecially the food that has been cooked. Although humans cannot directly digest components such as cellulose and lignin in plant cell walls, there are many ways we can reduce their levels and we can use our own digestive enzymes to digest and absorb other nutrients. Therefore,Humans are more efficient at digesting and absorbing nutrients than herbivores.
Self-healing. The human stomach has a certain ability to recover and self-regulate. When the body is irritated or infected, conditions such as inflammation and ulcers can occur in the stomach lining, which can lead to symptoms such as indigestion, stomach pain, and nausea. However, under the right conditions,The gastric mucosa can be restored to its normal state by repairing itself.
Some studies have shown that human gastric mucosal cells can be irritated or infected after being infectedSelf-healing through proliferation and differentiation。These cells can generate new epithelial cells, glandular cells, and mucus cells, among others, to replace damaged tissue. Additionally, some cells can also produce chemicals that help reduce inflammation and promote the repair process.
The human stomach also has some ability to self-regulate. When food enters the stomach, the nerve and hormonal systems in the stomach lining control the movement and secretion of the stomach to ensure that the food is thoroughly mixed and digested. In addition, when the stomach is full of food, the stomach wall is gradually stretched, which triggers nerve reflexes and the release of hormones that strengthen stomach movements and facilitate the movement of food to the intestines.
In fact, different species of animals have different types of digestive systems and stomach adaptations, and there is no complete difference between who is strong and who is weak.
For example, herbivores typically need microbial fermentation in their stomachs to break down indigestible cellulose, while carnivores need powerful stomach acids and enzymes to digest proteins and fats, among other things.
Dogs, for example, can digest bones, but they are very sensitive to chocolate, caffeine, and other ingredients contained in other foods. The ingredients contained in these foods, such as theobromine in chocolate, may cause symptoms of poisoning in dogs, including vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heartbeat, and convulsions, among others.
In conclusion, the stomach adaptation ability of different types of animals is different and is affected by many factors, including animal species, food type and environmental conditions. And ourselves, tooYou need to take better care of your stomach.