Protect the esophagus, start with me

As a native Chinese

We have been influenced by Chinese culture since childhood.

Think eating cold food is bad

So we mostly eat hot food.

Drinking water must be hot

The food has to be hot.

We have always believed in the magic of temperature

It can not only induce the color, aroma and taste of food

It can also increase appetite and promote the digestion and absorption of food

But what about hot food?

If you eat it too hot

What will happen then?

Our esophagus is a long muscular tube that is responsible for transporting food from the mouth to our stomach for the next step of digestion. But every "tube" has a shelf life , and our esophagus is no exception. If we use it improperly, it will cause damage to the esophagus or even necrosis . There are many reasons for the "aging" of the esophagus, the most important of which is high temperature . Generally speaking, the suitable eating temperature for the human body is between 10℃-40℃ , and we call this temperature range hot. Our esophagus can tolerate a temperature of 40℃-60℃, and it is called scalding if it exceeds 65℃.

The surface of the esophagus is covered with a layer of mucous membrane, which will burn when it comes into contact with food that exceeds the safe temperature. If it is only an occasional burn, it will recover quickly. However, if it is stimulated by hot food for a long time, it is likely to cause lesions in the mucosa, from superficial inflammation and ulcers to malignant hyperplasia, increasing the risk of esophageal cancer.

It is reported that in China, people usually drink water, coffee or tea above 65℃ or 70℃, and the risk of esophageal cancer increases accordingly. According to the latest statistics from the National Cancer Registry Center, the incidence of esophageal cancer in China increases rapidly after the age of 40. Therefore, esophageal cancer is ridiculed as a cancer with "Chinese characteristics". First, the incidence rate in China is high, and second, esophageal cancer has existed in China for a long time. People call esophageal cancer "diaphragmatic disease".

Dysphagia refers to a condition in which food is difficult to swallow or food is regurgitated. According to traditional Chinese medicine, dysphagia is located in the esophagus, which is controlled by the stomach and is related to the liver, spleen, and kidney. Therefore, in addition to dietary factors, emotional distress, long-term illness, and old age may also lead to dysphagia.

As the saying goes, "A wise man does not treat an existing disease but rather prevents it from happening." What can we do to prevent choking?

First of all, we need to change our bad eating habits . Before eating, we need to air-dry the food to a safe temperature . We also need to quit smoking and drinking, and say goodbye to pickled vegetables and leftover food!

Secondly, we should eat more fresh fruits and vegetables.

Finally, we need to go to the hospital regularly for physical examinations and screenings, because, at present, there is only one way to prevent and screen esophageal cancer early - gastroscopy!

(Pictures from the Internet)

Contributor: Wu Yuan Reviewer: Liu Weihong