Source: Dr. Chua's Health Talks
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"Dr. Huang, I heard that the elderly should eat less watermelon and persimmons, is this true?" Uncle Zhang was outside the outpatient clinic of the community hospital, anxiously asking Dr. Huang in the consultation room.
Dr. Huang smiled and nodded, and motioned for Uncle Zhang to come in and sit down. As a veteran doctor in a community hospital, Dr. Huang has long been accustomed to all kinds of strange questions and home remedies for the elderly.
He slowly explained: "Uncle Zhang, there is indeed such a saying. Watermelon and persimmon are both good fruits, but for some older people, it does mean in moderation. ”
Uncle Zhang, who worked in a bank, lived a relatively quiet life after retirement, and his concern for healthy eating was particularly profound. He asked the question, puzzled: "How can that be?" I always thought there was nothing wrong with eating fruit. ”
Dr. Huang patiently explains, "Watermelon and persimmon are high in sugar, and it is really not suitable for diabetics to consume too much. Persimmons, in particular, also contain high levels of tannic acid and pectin, and eating them on an empty stomach is easy to form hard lumps in the stomach, called bezoars, which is not good for the stomach. ”
Hearing this, Uncle Zhang was a little surprised, but he was still a little unconvinced, "Then I'm in good health, it should be fine, right?" ”
Dr. Huang smiled and shook his head: "Actually, of course, it is okay for healthy people to eat some, but the digestive system of the elderly is usually weaker, even if they are healthy, they should pay attention to the appropriate amount." Consuming too much sugar can also lead to increased pressure on the heart and adversely affect blood pressure and blood lipids.
Uncle Zhang didn't seem to understand after hearing this, but when Dr. Huang saw this, he decided to explain it to him through a specific case. "Remember last year's Aunt Li? Because she ate too much watermelon in the summer, her diabetes was not well controlled and she almost needed to be hospitalized. ”
"Oh, that's right." Uncle Zhang was a little convinced. He began to think about his eating habits, and although he was not diabetic, he began to worry about other possible health problems.
Dr. Huang continued, "And, you know what? Now there are studies that show that the gastrointestinal function of the elderly is not as good as that of young people, and too much food will increase the burden on the stomach. That's why we often recommend that older adults consume easy-to-digest, low-sugar foods. ”
He suddenly remembered his friend Uncle Wang, who had health problems due to improper diet. Dr. Huang gives specific advice: "For example, you can choose some low-sugar fruits, such as apples and pears. Not only are these fruits relatively low in sugar, but they are also rich in fiber, which contributes to gut health. ”
After listening to Dr. Huang's advice, Uncle Zhang felt very useful. Uncle Zhang also asked about other lifestyle adjustments, and Dr. Huang patiently answered them one by one, so that Uncle Zhang had a more comprehensive understanding of his health.
This conversation had a profound impact on Uncle Zhang. He decided to start small, such as reducing his intake of watermelon and persimmons and increasing his consumption of low-sugar fruits such as apples and pears.
At the same time that Uncle Zhang decided to change his lifestyle, his friend Uncle Wang was also receiving treatment in the hospital because he did not pay attention to his diet and caused health problems. He thought that if he could prevent diseases by adjusting his diet and lifestyle habits, then he must try to do his best.
After a few months, Uncle Zhang's weight dropped significantly, and his blood pressure and blood sugar levels remained at healthy levels. He often shares his health experience with his friends, hoping to encourage more people to pay attention to their health through his example.
If you are Uncle Zhang, how will you adjust your diet and lifestyle habits according to your actual situation? The first adjustment is to reduce the intake of high-sugar and high-fat foods and switch to high-fiber, low-sugar foods. The immediate benefit of this change is that it helps to control blood sugar and lipid levels, which is key for the prevention of diabetes and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
In addition to diet, moderate physical activity is also very important. For example, taking a proper walk and doing light gymnastics every day can boost physical strength and cardiorespiratory fitness, while also helping mental health and reducing feelings of loneliness and depression.
Physical limitations may make some physical activities less accessible, and older people may need to find activities that are appropriate for their physical condition. While this change is challenging, it is possible with the right strategy and adequate support.
What do you think about the diet of the elderly? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!