There are people who habitually drink water after eating rice. This is because they feel that doing so helps with digestion. However, it can actually be harmful to stomach health, so caution is advised. Here are four habits that can damage your stomach health.

 

Eating rice with water mixed in

 

Eating rice soaked in water can interfere with the digestive function of the stomach. Rice is broken down into small pieces through chewing, and mixing with saliva makes it easier to digest. Amylase in saliva plays a role in breaking down the starch, the main component of rice, to facilitate digestion. However, soaking rice in water reduces the need to chew, skipping the process of breaking it into smaller pieces, and dilutes the saliva, weakening its digestive effect. The digestive juices in the stomach are also diluted by water, which can hinder the stomach's digestion function.

◇ Drinking carbonated beverages when feeling bloated

 

Drinking carbonated beverages such as cola or cider may cause burping, making you feel like digestion is improved and your stomach is more comfortable. However, this is not a sign of digestion but rather the gas contained in the carbonated drinks being released again. Carbonated beverages can actually cause digestive problems. They weaken the sphincter that connects the esophagus and stomach, making it easier for stomach acid to reflux into the esophagus. Especially for those with existing stomach issues, consuming carbonated drinks is strictly discouraged.

 

 

◇ Drinking milk when experiencing stomach pain

 

There are cases where people drink milk when they have a stomach ache. Milk is mildly alkaline and can neutralize the acidic gastric juice upon contact, temporarily relieving the burning sensation. However, over time, milk can actually make the stomach pain worse. The protein in milk, casein, turns into a gel-like substance when it contacts gastric acid. The stomach then secretes more gastric juice to digest and absorb the casein. The calcium in milk also stimulates the secretion of stomach acid. Especially in cases of gastric or duodenal ulcers, drinking milk can lead to excessive stomach acid secretion, which may worsen the ulcers, so caution is advised.

 

 

◇ Drinking alcohol and vomiting

 

Feeling relieved after vomiting due to excessive alcohol consumption is common. This is because alcohol absorption in the body decreases, temporarily soothing the stomach and alleviating hangover symptoms. However, the esophagus is exposed to stomach acid, increasing the risk of damage. Repeated vomiting can cause the muscles between the stomach and esophagus to weaken, leading to frequent acid reflux and increasing the likelihood of developing reflux esophagitis.

 

 

Eating rice with water, is it good for digestion... Four habits that poison the stomach © Provided by Health Chosun