Let's talk about the health things of Lichun
In China, the food culture is broad and profound, and the harmony of the five flavors is a major feature of Chinese cuisine. However, in real life, many people find themselves enjoying spicy and cool foods with frequent intestinal discomfort, which is what we often call diarrhea. This phenomenon has attracted widespread attention and discussion. Today, we try to solve this long-standing puzzle from the perspectives of Western medicine and Chinese medicine.
From the perspective of Western medicine, spicy and cold food may be related to the sensitivity of the individual's digestive system. The digestive system includes several parts of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine, of which the intestine is the main place of digestion and absorption. The capsaicin in spicy foods can irritate the intestines, increase intestinal motility, and lead to increased stool frequency, so some people who are sensitive to capsaicin will experience diarrhea symptoms after eating spicy foods. Cool foods, especially cold foods, can lower the temperature of the intestines, affect the activity of digestive enzymes, and then affect the normal digestion and absorption of food, resulting in diarrhea.
In the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the cold, hot and warm nature of food is closely related to human constitution. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the human constitution is divided into two types: cold and hot. People with a cold constitution lack yang qi and are prone to cold evil, so eating cold food will reduce the yang energy in the body, leading to intestinal dysfunction and diarrhea. People with a hot constitution have a strong yang energy, and eating spicy food will promote yang heat in the body, making the intestines hyperfunctional, which may also lead to diarrhea.
Traditional Chinese medicine ** intestinal discomfort often adopts the method of syndrome differentiation and treatment. For diarrhea caused by cold constitution, Chinese medicine will use methods to dispel cold in warmth, such as using warm medicines such as dried ginger and cinnamon. Among them, dried ginger has a spicy and hot taste, enters the spleen, stomach and lung meridians, and has the effect of dissipating cold in the warmth, returning to the yang and passing the pulse, and warming the lungs. Cinnamon, pungent in taste, sweet and hot, enters the liver, kidney, and spleen meridians, and has the effect of dissipating cold in warmth, replenishing fire and helping yang, and dispersing stasis and reducing swelling.
For diarrhea caused by hot constitution, traditional Chinese medicine will use methods to clear heat and detoxify, such as using cold drugs such as Coptis chinensis and skullcap. Coptis chinensis, bitter and cold, enters the heart, spleen, stomach and large intestine meridians, and has the effect of clearing heat and dampness, purging fire and detoxifying. Skullcap, bitter and cold, enters the lungs and large intestine meridians, and has the effects of clearing heat and dampness, detoxifying fire and detoxifying, cooling blood and stopping bleeding.
In addition, TCM also emphasizes dietary conditioning. For people who are prone to diarrhea, it is recommended to eat less spicy and cool foods and more easily digestible and mild foods, such as millet porridge, pumpkin, etc. At the same time, maintaining good living habits, avoiding overwork, and maintaining a good mood will also help improve intestinal function and reduce diarrhea.
In short, why it is easy to have diarrhea when eating spicy and cold food, this long-term doubt can be explained from two perspectives: Western medicine and Chinese medicine. Understanding one's own physique, eating reasonably, and maintaining good lifestyle habits are the keys to preventing and improving intestinal discomfort. If symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical attention promptly so that you can get a professional diagnosis and**.
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