Hawthorn is a relatively sour fruit that can promote intestinal digestion and gastric acid secretion. It is suitable for patients with constipation and loss of appetite. However, individuals with poor gastrointestinal function should avoid eating hawthorn as it can increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract. Especially for patients with gastritis or gastric ulcer, hawthorn can stimulate the secretion of gastric acid, leading to increased damage to the gastric mucosa.

1. Can individuals with poor gastrointestinal function eat hawthorn?

For individuals with poor gastrointestinal function, hawthorn is essentially prohibited. Although hawthorn can aid in digestion by stimulating the secretion of digestive juices, it does not digest food through strengthening the spleen and stomach. Eating dried hawthorn or drinking hawthorn tea can indeed have a good appetizing and digestive effect. However, excessive consumption of hawthorn, especially for those with gastritis, gastric ulcer, or those prone to gastric acid reflux, as well as elderly individuals and children with weak spleen and stomach, should be limited to avoid causing gastric stones.

2. The role of hawthorn

The "digestive effect" of hawthorn is attributed to its rich tannins, which can stimulate the secretion of gastric acid. However, patients with gastritis, gastric ulcer, esophagitis, and other conditions already have excessive gastric acid secretion. Consuming large amounts of hawthorn can overburden the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, some special substances in hawthorn can easily form precipitates when encountered with gastric acid, which can induce gastric stones. Therefore, there is a quantity limit when eating dried hawthorn for digestion, and it is best not to exceed 10 pieces at a time. It is also important to note that hawthorn should not be eaten on an empty stomach and should not be consumed together with strong tea. It is recommended to have a two-hour interval between them. Furthermore, many hawthorn slices available in the market are made with food gelatin, flavorings, pigments, and sweeteners, and their health benefits are limited. Children are advised to consume them sparingly.

3. Precautions for eating hawthorn

Apart from individuals with poor gastric function, children undergoing tooth replacement should also avoid excessive consumption of hawthorn, hawthorn slices, or hawthorn pastes as it may be detrimental to tooth growth. Everyone should consume hawthorn in moderation and rinse their mouths promptly after eating to prevent harm to their teeth. Hawthorn has the effect of lowering blood lipids, so individuals with excessively low blood lipids should avoid excessive consumption as it may affect their health. Pregnant women are also advised to avoid eating hawthorn as it can stimulate uterine contractions and potentially induce miscarriage. For individuals with gastric issues, it is crucial to develop healthy eating habits for their stomachs, including reducing alcohol and tobacco consumption.