The gastroenterologist spoke about the negative effects of the winter period on the gastrointestinal tract

Winter diets and holiday habits affect the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract in children and adults, and seasonal dietary changes can lead not only to discomfort, but also to serious problems, gastroenterologist Tatiana Golovchanskaya warned in an interview with Izvestia on December 16.

According to the doctor, with the arrival of cold weather, many people's lifestyles change, there is less movement, more heavy food, sweets, hot drinks and long feasts. At the same time, the number of fresh vegetables, fruits and berries is decreasing, and the variety of the diet is decreasing. She noted that such a shift directly affects the functioning of the intestine.

"When there is less fiber in food and more dense, refined foods, we see the consequences very quickly — irregular stools, painful urges, and the formation of constipation. And this applies to both children and adults," explained Golovchanskaya.

Prohibited foods in winter: what can not be eaten so as not to depress the immune system

In winter, the proportion of products that contribute to gas formation often increases, the source continued. These are cabbage, potatoes, bananas, legumes, flour and dairy products. Combined with a lack of physical activity, this leads to bloating, rumbling, increased gas discharge and belching of air. For many, such symptoms become familiar, although this is already a signal that it is difficult for the intestines to cope with the load.

"New Year's feasts are a separate story. A festive table with an abundance of fatty, fried, mayonnaise dishes and desserts increases the risk of reflux, heartburn, sour or bitter belching, heaviness in the epigastrium, sore throat, hoarseness of voice and dry cough. This is not an inevitable payment for a holiday and definitely not a reason to wash down everything with enzymes by default. In most cases, it is enough to eat more slowly, not put mountains on a plate and not lie down on the couch immediately after eating," the doctor emphasized.

During this period, children are more likely to experience abdominal pain due to an excess of sweets, carbonated drinks and snacks instead of normal food. Parents often get scared and suspect gastritis. In most cases, this is a reaction to an unbalanced diet, rather than a terrible diagnosis. But if the pain recurs, accompanied by vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, you should definitely consult a specialist.

Alcoholic beverages become additional risk factors for adults, the gastroenterologist emphasized. Carbonated cocktails and champagne can increase bloating and belching, stronger alcohol can cause loosening of the stool, vomiting, provoke attacks of acute pancreatitis and exacerbation of chronic gastrointestinal diseases. The phrase "just overeating" sometimes masks conditions that require urgent help. Acute pain, repeated vomiting, and pronounced weakness after a meal are reasons not to wait until morning, the doctor added.

In winter, the risk of food poisoning increases with salads and snacks left on the table for more than two hours, dishes stored without a refrigerator or re-frozen, as they become a source of infection. After poisoning, unpleasant symptoms appear: nausea, loosening of the stool, bloating, heaviness. They can persist for weeks, Golovchanskaya added.

According to the gastroenterologist, many seasonal problems can be prevented by simple measures, such as keeping vegetables and fruits in the diet, adding fiber dishes, drinking enough water, moving more, not abusing fatty and sugary foods, being careful with alcohol and not leaving ready meals on the table for a long time.

"Winter itself is not an enemy of the digestive tract. What makes it dangerous is the habit of justifying everything with holidays and cold weather. With a little more awareness, both holidays and weekdays pass without unnecessary visits to the doctor," the specialist concluded.

In November, nutritionist and nutritionist Sofya Kovanova told how many tangerines you can eat per day. According to her, it is acceptable to eat up to four medium or six small fruits per day. It is better to limit sweeter varieties by half, since they have a higher carbohydrate content.

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