Can eating toasted steamed bread slices really “save” stomach discomfort?

Stomach discomfort, bloating and acid reflux are "chronic diseases" that bother many people. Recently, reporters noticed that many netizens shared that they were advised to eat some toasted steamed bread slices regularly to relieve stomach discomfort. Why do small steamed bread slices have such miraculous effects?

Ms. Huang, a citizen, has been experiencing acid reflux in her stomach for a while. She lost nearly 10 pounds in a month. "I'm not trying to lose weight, I just feel bloated and uncomfortable after a few bites of a meal." After reading online that eating toasted steamed bread slices is effective, Ms. Huang tried it. "I toasted them in an air fryer and ate them for about ten days. The effect is indeed there. Now I don't feel that severe acid reflux."

Ms. Huang is not an isolated case. "I went to see a Chinese doctor because my spleen and stomach were not good before. He said that I had a typical constitution of spleen and stomach deficiency and dampness. He told me not to eat fruits and other cold foods, and to eat toasted steamed bread slices in the morning." Xiaohongshu netizen "Yingying" posted that she had been eating it for three months. The most obvious feeling was that the bloating and acid reflux problems were gone, and the tongue coating was clear. "Sisters, try it! It is baked golden and crispy, fragrant and delicious. It really works!"

Can "baked steamed bread slices" really relieve stomach discomfort? Is there any scientific basis? Dr. Wang Dan from the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Nanjing Second Hospital explained in an interview with reporters that some people feel that their stomachs feel better and they don't have acid reflux after eating baked steamed bread slices, which is indeed possible. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "the aroma of burnt bread enters the spleen", and baked steamed bread slices have a certain effect of strengthening the spleen and nourishing the stomach. At the same time, the golden color on the surface of baked steamed bread slices is dextrin converted from starch. Dextrin is easy to digest and has the effect of neutralizing gastric acid, inhibiting gastric acid secretion, and protecting the gastric mucosa, which can relieve symptoms such as bloating and acid reflux. Wang Dan pointed out that steamed bread is a food that causes inflammation and contains yeast. Yeast is rich in vitamins and enzymes, which can help the stomach and intestines digest food and reduce the burden on the stomach and intestines. "Toasted steamed bread slices can help dispel heat and dampness, and are suitable for patients with cold and damp stomach problems. Foods that are slightly burnt are carbonized foods, and carbonized foods are very good for treating digestive tract diseases." However, Wang Dan also reminded that toasted steamed bread slices are more suitable for superficial stomach problems and can only relieve symptoms such as bloating, stomach pain, and acid reflux caused by increased stomach acid. For severe stomach problems, it is recommended to go to the hospital for symptomatic treatment.

"The weather gets colder in autumn, and the temperature difference between morning and evening is large. To nourish the stomach, you need to pay attention to keeping the stomach warm." Wang Dan reminded that the stomach being stimulated by cold will affect the normal digestive function, and the idea of ​​"putting on weight in autumn" in this season is not very friendly to the stomach. "We still recommend that everyone be moderate in diet, avoid overeating, eat regular and quantitative meals, and eat small and frequent meals." Experts pointed out that eating too much food at once will put too much burden on the stomach to grind, digest, and transport, which will affect the stomach's function of transporting water and grain in the long run. Eating regular and quantitative meals, and eating small and frequent meals can ensure that there is always food in the stomach to neutralize gastric acid, thereby preventing erosion of the gastric mucosa and ulcer surface. Wang Dan also said that it is not advisable to lie down and rest immediately after a meal. "Proper exercise after a meal will help digestion."

In addition, we should also pay attention to the adjustment of the spirit when nourishing the stomach. "The rustling autumn wind inevitably triggers a depressed and sad mood. The function of the spleen and stomach depends on the release of liver qi. Therefore, negative emotions such as sadness, anxiety, anger, etc. can easily cause liver qi to be blocked and spleen qi to fail to move and transform, which can easily lead to a series of digestive tract symptoms, such as poor appetite, bloating, stomach pain, belching, etc."