Table of contents:
- "Chewing gum cannot be digested by the intestines"
- "Avoid high fiber foods while you have diarrhea"
- "Eating lots of nuts makes flatulence"
- "Lifting heavy foam causes a hernia"
- "The more fiber consumption, the better for the body"
You must already know that everything you eat will be digested in the body. The digestive system in the body plays a role in accommodating food, breaking it down into smaller molecules, absorbing these molecules into the bloodstream, and cleaning the body from the digestive waste of the food you eat through the rectum.
However, do you know if there are some myths and misconceptions about the digestive system? Here are some of them.
"Chewing gum cannot be digested by the intestines"
Although chewing gum is not meant to be swallowed, however, sometimes you may accidentally swallow the gum. The funny thing is, the sticky form of chewing gum often makes people think that the chewing gum cannot be digested in the body. Or it may take years for it to finally come out. But, is it true?
In fact, although the stomach can't break down gum like it does with other foods, the digestive system has another way of digesting it through bowel activity. The intestines will continue to move the gum, making it pass through the intestine, and out of the end of the digestive system.
"Avoid high fiber foods while you have diarrhea"
Consumption of fiber is often used as a solution to overcome constipation, aka difficult to defecate. So it's natural that many think that high-fiber foods launch bowel movements, this should be avoided when you have diarrhea. But it turns out, fiber can also help treat diarrhea, by absorbing excess fluid in the intestines and making stools denser.
"Eating lots of nuts makes flatulence"
Nuts are known as one of the gas-producing foods that make flatulence. This is because nuts have a high raffinose content and contain soluble fiber.
However, peanuts are not the largest producer of gas. Dairy products actually cause more gas than other foods because of the lactose content in them. The lactose content in milk can make it difficult for your digestive system to process it, if your body doesn't have enough of the enzyme lactase.
"Lifting heavy foam causes a hernia"
You may often hear stories that hernias usually occur in people who lift heavy objects too often. It is a myth. Most hernias are actually the result of muscle weakness that has occurred long before the symptoms of the hernia appeared.
Some of the other factors that can weaken muscles are age, injury, and surgical incisions. Lifting heavy objects is not the cause of the hernia, but rather a factor that can exacerbate existing hernias.
"The more fiber consumption, the better for the body"
The American Dietetic Association It has been recommended that adults should ideally consume about 25 to 35 grams of fiber daily, or about five cups of fruit or vegetables a day. Fiber is needed by the body to improve digestive function, prevent constipation, treat diarrhea, and slow down the absorption of sugar and carbohydrates.
But did you know that excessive fiber consumption can actually cause problems for the body? In fact, excess fiber consumption can actually make certain minerals and nutrients do not have enough time to be absorbed into the body's system. As a result, excess fiber consumption can cause flatulence and stomach cramps.
