Can the stomach digest starch?

Update Date: 2024-06-20 Source: Network

I. Can the stomach digest starch?

The stomach is not capable of digesting starch, rather, it is the pancreas that digests starch. The stomach mainly secretes gastric acid and pepsinogen. The primary function of gastric acid is to kill harmful bacteria that enter the stomach, while activating pepsinogen to convert it into pepsin, which digests proteins. On the other hand, the pancreas mainly secretes pancreatic amylase to digest starch. Therefore, the stomach does not have the function of digesting starch, so it generally cannot digest starch. It is recommended to consume starch in moderation to avoid indigestion and maintain gastrointestinal health.

II. Scientific Methods for Caring for the Gastrointestinal Tract

1. Avoid eating hurriedly: Food enters the stomach, goes through storage, grinding, and digestion, and is turned into a creamy consistency before it can be passed into the intestines. If food is not chewed thoroughly and eaten hurriedly, it will be rough and increase the burden on the stomach, prolonging the retention time and potentially causing damage to the gastric mucosa. Additionally, chewing slowly can increase saliva secretion, which in turn reduces gastric acid and bile secretion, benefiting the protection of the stomach.

2. Avoid excessive consumption of coffee and strong tea: Both coffee and strong tea are central nervous system stimulants that can cause gastric mucosa ischemia through reflexes, damaging the protective function of the gastric mucosa and leading to the development of ulcers.

3. Avoid abuse of drugs: There are three main types of drugs that can easily damage the gastric mucosa: acetylsalicylic acids such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like phenylbutazone, indomethacin, ibuprofen, and corticosteroid and other hormonal drugs. Therefore, these drugs should be avoided as much as possible. If they must be used, the dosage and duration should be controlled.

4. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption: Alcohol itself can directly damage the gastric mucosa. In addition, it can also cause liver cirrhosis and chronic pancreatitis, which in turn worsen gastric damage.

5. Avoid unclean food: Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the important causes of gastric diseases and duodenal ulcers. The detection rate of this bacterium in ulcer patients is over 70%, and it disappears after the ulcer is cured. Ulcer patients can transmit the bacterium through close contact such as sharing utensils, toothbrushes, and kissing. Unclean food is also one of the causes of infection.