Revealed food combinations that threaten health

Dangerous Combination: How Holiday Abundance of Meat with Side Dishes Can Cause a Food Lump in the Stomach

As reported by TUT.AZ, gastroenterologist Evgeny Belousov in a conversation with gazeta.ru warned about the risks of improper gastronomic combinations.

The New Year holidays become a real test for the digestive system. Excessive consumption of fatty, fried, salty, and sweet foods in combination with alcoholic beverages can cause exacerbation of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including gastritis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, and irritable bowel syndrome. Specialists pay special attention to the so-called conflicting food combinations.

"For example, the combination of fatty meat appetizers (such as pork or duck) with dairy products (cheese, sour cream) slows down digestion and increases the load on the pancreas. Alcohol with carbonated drinks enhances the absorption of ethanol and irritates the stomach lining. Mixing large amounts of different types of meat (smoked, salted, fried) with starchy side dishes (potatoes, pasta) and sweet desserts creates a food lump that is difficult to digest and can cause bloating, nausea, heartburn, and even acute pancreatitis in predisposed individuals," explained the doctor.

Also, you should not combine alcohol with fatty fish (salmon, lard, herring in oil) - this increases bile secretion and can provoke biliary colic if there are stones in the gallbladder.

"Food prepared on December 31 and stored until January 2, especially in home storage conditions without strict adherence to temperature regimes, poses a serious risk. Many salads contain mayonnaise - an environment favorable for bacterial reproduction. At room temperature, within 2-3 hours, toxins from E. coli, Salmonella, or Staphylococcus can accumulate. Re-cooling and reheating such dishes do not eliminate already formed toxins, which can lead to food toxicoinfection: vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration. Dishes with eggs, fish, dairy components, and homemade sauces are especially dangerous," noted the doctor.

For the elderly, children, and people with weakened immune systems, the consequences can be severe - up to hospitalization. To avoid problems, salads and appetizers should be prepared in small portions, stored no more than a day in the refrigerator, and not left on the table for more than one to two hours.