In my medical career, I have met many stomach cancer patients, and their experiences have made me deeply understand that there are many misconceptions about the causes of stomach cancer. Many people think that eating foods like bacon and kimchi is the main cause of stomach cancer, but in fact, there are more common and hidden "culprits" in the daily diet. I remember a middle-aged patient, Mr. Zhang, who was a very health-conscious person who insisted on getting up early every day to run and never smoking or drinking. However, during a routine physical exam, he was diagnosed with early-stage stomach cancer. This is undoubtedly a huge blow for him. When I asked him about his eating habits, I found that although he was very concerned about the health of his food, he overlooked one thing - his salt intake at each meal was far exceeded. Although he rarely eats foods that are labeled as unhealthy, such as bacon and kimchi, his daily diet, such as the use of pickles and high-salt seasonings, is actually an invisible killer of ongoing stomach damage.
The real "culprit" of stomach cancer
In my daily outpatient clinic, stomach cancer cases are common, and people often have misunderstandings about the causes of stomach cancer. Many people believe that stomach cancer is closely related to certain foods such as bacon or kimchi, however, this is not so simple. The incidence of stomach cancer is more deeply related to our daily eating habits, especially a long-neglected culprit - excessive salt intake. The potential risks in our daily diet are far greater than we think. Excessive salt intake is not just a catalyst for high blood pressure, it has a more immediate and serious effect on the stomach. The sodium in table salt can damage the gastric mucosa during digestion, and a long-term high-salt diet will lead to persistent damage to the gastric mucosa, thereby increasing the risk of gastric cancer. Scientific studies have shown a clear correlation between a high-salt diet and stomach cancer.
When comparing bacon and kimchi with other high-salt foods in the daily diet, it is not difficult to find that although bacon and kimchi are high in salt, many seemingly ordinary foods, such as instant noodles, seasonings, pickled products, etc., have equally surprising salt content. These foods are frequently consumed because of their convenience and convenience, and most people are unaware of the salt hidden in these foods. Therefore, when we talk about the "culprit" of stomach cancer, we should focus more on a broad diet rather than specific foods. Understanding and adjusting our salt intake is the first step in preventing stomach cancer. By reducing the amount of salt consumed daily, we can not only improve stomach health, but also effectively reduce the risk of stomach cancer. In the next section, I will explain the main causes of stomach cancer and how to prevent stomach cancer by adjusting your diet.
Potential risks in the daily diet
The dangers of excessive salt salt, especially our daily intake, have a direct impact on the gastric mucosa. The main component of salt is sodium chloride, which can irritate the gastric mucosa in excess and cause or aggravate gastritis, which may evolve into gastric cancer in the long run. Scientific studies have shown that a high-salt diet is strongly associated with the development of stomach cancer, especially in those who do not take other preventive measures. The prevalence of high-salt foods When we talk about high-salt foods, many people immediately think of bacon and kimchi, which are indeed high-salt foods. However, many fast foods and processed foods that are readily available when we are hungry on a daily basis, such as instant noodles, pickled foods, ready-to-eat soups, etc., are also extremely high in salt. These foods are frequently on our tables because of their convenience, and before we know it, we are overeating our salt intake.
Comparison of salt content
A typical serving of instant noodles, for example, may contain more than half of the recommended daily intake. Whereas, a serving of bacon or kimchi, although high in salt, is usually not eaten as frequently as instant noodles. This suggests that we need to consider two dimensions: the salt content of food and the frequency of consumption when assessing risk. How to reduce salt intake and change your eating habits is an important step in preventing stomach cancer. Reducing salt intake can be achieved by following a few simple steps: Choose low-salt or salt-free products. Try to use herbs and spices instead of salt when cooking to enhance the flavor of the food. Avoid frequent consumption of processed foods and fast foods, and instead choose fresh, unprocessed ingredients to cook your own.
Specific measures to prevent stomach cancer
1. Adjust your diet: Reducing salt intake and eating a high-salt diet is an important risk factor for stomach cancer. In our daily lives, we can take the following steps to reduce our salt intake: Choose low- or no-salt products: When buying processed foods, choose products labeled "low sodium" or "no added salt." Control the amount of salt in home cooking: Try to use as little salt as possible when cooking, and use herbs and spices such as garlic, ginger, and green onions to enhance the flavor of your food and reduce your reliance on salt. Avoid frequent consumption of pickled foods, such as pickled vegetables and salted fish, as the salt and preservatives in these foods may cause damage to the gastric mucosa.
2. Increase your dietary intake of fruits and vegetables
Foods rich in vitamins and fiber can help protect the stomach lining and reduce the risk of cancer: Eat more fresh fruits and vegetables: Eat at least five servings (about 400 grams) of fruits and vegetables of different colors every day. Choose whole grains: Whole grains such as brown rice and whole-grain bread are richer in fiber than refined grains, which can help maintain digestive health.
3. Maintain Healthy Weight
Obesity is a risk factor for several cancers, including stomach cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce this risk: Regular physical activity: At least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, swimming or cycling. Eat a balanced diet: Avoid high-calorie foods and divide the proportion of food in each meal wisely.
4. Avoid alcohol and tobacco
Smoking and alcohol abuse are both known risk factors for stomach cancer: Quit smoking: If you smoke, seek help to stop smoking. Limit alcohol intake: Minimize alcohol intake to no more than one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men.
5. Regular physical examinations
For high-risk groups, if there is a family history of gastric cancer, regular gastric examinations: regular gastroscopy: especially for people over 40 years old, if there are persistent symptoms such as indigestion and abdominal pain, gastroscopy should be performed in time. Helicobacter pylori test: Helicobacter pylori is one of the leading causes of stomach cancer, and if the test result is positive, it should be treated accordingly. With these specific preventive measures, we can reduce the risk of stomach cancer and improve our overall health in our daily lives. These practical tips not only help prevent stomach cancer, but also have a positive effect on maintaining overall health.