Eating, this indispensable activity of daily life, is something we perform every day. It supplies our system with the nutrients and energy it needs, ensuring the smooth functioning of metabolism and overall health in the body. However, people vary in their eating habits and food intake, with some eating large amounts and others eating small amounts. There was once a widespread belief that "the amount of food that can be consumed in a person's life is fixed, and eating less can prolong life." Is there a scientific basis for this statement? In fact, with the deepening of scientific research, this view has been found to be plausible.
Is it really a blessing for the elderly to be able to eat?
As we age, a gradual decline in human body functions, including a decrease in vision and taste, may lead to loss of appetite in older adults. There is a belief that eating a large amount of food in old age is a sign of health and longevity, but is there any scientific basis for this view? In fact, the amount of food eaten is not only related to the capacity of the stomach, but also to the brain's perception of the volume of the stomach. Individuals with a good appetite do not mean that their stomach capacity is greater than that of people with a poor appetite, but that their stomach has better elasticity. Long-term overeating can lead to thickening of the stomach wall and accelerated gastric peristalsis, resulting in increased appetite.
Xu Liyu, deputy chief physician of the Department of Geriatrics at Zhejiang Hospital, pointed out that for the elderly, excessive food consumption and excessive satiety may cause health problems, including but not limited to:
Obesity: Modern diets are high in fat and protein, and these hard-to-digest foods can lead to excess nutrients and accumulate in the body if consumed in excess, triggering obesity.
Affects brain function: The hippocampus is a key area of the brain that controls learning and memory. Satiety can lead to a decrease in the number of hippocampus, and long-term overeating can easily impair memory function. At the same time, a large amount of blood flows to the gastrointestinal tract after a full meal, which can lead to insufficient blood supply to the brain, causing drowsiness and unresponsiveness.
Increase the burden on the kidneys: Excessive food intake increases the metabolic burden on the kidneys, which can easily cause kidney damage.
Cholecystitis, stones and other diseases: eating a brace will concentrate a large amount of blood in the gastrointestinal tract, affect the blood supply to the liver, and easily cause cholecystitis and gallstones.
Adhere to these 3 principles to eat healthy and long
Increasing the variety and quality of food is key in optimizing dietary composition and promoting healthy lifestyles. It is recommended to include more than 12 different types of ingredients in your daily diet and expand at least 25 in a week to ensure a comprehensive nutrition. Through a rational combination of animal and plant proteins, coarse and fine grains, and foods of different colors and tastes, it is possible to achieve an energy balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
The key to maintaining a healthy weight is to achieve a balance between diet and exercise. Body mass index (BMI) is a common criterion for determining whether a healthy weight is and is calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared. By comparing with the standard, it is possible to assess whether an individual needs to adjust their weight.
In addition, regular eating and chewing patterns are also crucial. Eating three meals a day at regular intervals and chewing slowly can help reduce pressure on the digestive system and promote the digestion and absorption of food. It is recommended to take 15 to 20 minutes for breakfast and about half an hour for lunch and dinner, which not only helps to feel full, but also strengthens the digestion of food. Through these methods, we can effectively improve our health and quality of life.