The "Mood" of the Digestive Tract: How Delicious Foods Promote Absorption in the Context of the Health Food Pandemic

The amount of gastric juice secretion is affected not only by the type of food but also by psychological factors (such as stress). The length of time food stays in the stomach is influenced by various factors. Generally speaking, starchy foods stay in the stomach for the shortest time, followed by protein-rich foods, and foods rich in fat stay in the stomach for the longest time. This is why consuming large amounts of oily food can easily lead to "food reflux." After mixing with gastric juice in the stomach, food becomes a semi-fluid, porridge-like substance, which is then transported from the pylorus (the exit of the stomach) into the duodenum.

After food enters the duodenum from the stomach, it stimulates the intestinal mucosa, prompting the secretion of digestive juices. The duodenum secretes a substance similar to gastrin. This type of secretion is called intestinal secretion. Pancreatic juice secreted by the pancreas contains digestive enzymes such as trypsin (for digesting proteins), chymotrypsin (for digesting starch), and lipase (for digesting fats). Fat in food is digested and broken down in the duodenum by lipases in pancreatic juice, mostly into diglycerides and monoglycerides. These then form molecular clusters under the action of bile acids in bile and are absorbed by the small intestinal mucosa.

The protein in food is broken down into amino acids by pepsin in gastric juice and trypsin and chymotrypsin in pancreatic juice. These amino acids are then absorbed by the small intestine and transported to the liver. When eating in a pleasant atmosphere, the digestive tract mucosa is stimulated by food, and the digestive tract begins to move faster, ensuring thorough mixing of food and facilitating nutrient absorption. However, in a state of stress, the movement of the digestive tract is inhibited. Therefore, eating in a comfortable atmosphere is beneficial for digestion.

Exercising or working immediately after a meal will cause blood to flow to the muscles and brain, hindering the digestive and absorption process. Therefore, it's advisable to rest briefly after eating; ideally, sufficient rest is even better. Delicious food stimulates the secretion of digestive juices such as gastric juices and accelerates digestive tract movements, thus aiding in the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Savoring delicious food slowly in a comfortable and pleasant atmosphere is not only a pleasure but also closely related to a healthy lifestyle.

In the mid-1950s, food contamination caused by chemical substances sparked a surge in interest in natural foods, fueled by the so-called "food safety hazard." By the mid-1960s, processed foods such as fast food had become rampant. Therefore, starting in the mid-1970s, handcrafted and natural foods gained prominence. Furthermore, the growing popularity of eating as a means of actively maintaining health led to the emergence of a large health food industry. Currently, there are approximately 2,000 types of health foods on the market, with annual sales reaching 500 billion yen.

Health foods are a spontaneous product, and their varieties are extremely diverse. Among health foods, there are many that are harmful rather than beneficial, those with exaggerated claims, and even those designed to generate exorbitant profits. According to the "Hazard Information Report" from the National Consumer Affairs Center's Consultation and Hazard Information Department, cosmetics caused the most harm among products, but recently the number of cases caused by health foods has increased. Cosmetics and health foods rank first and second in the number of cases causing health harm, while the proportion of health harm caused by beauty products, medical devices, toys, etc., has decreased.

Among the harms caused by health foods, Chlorella (a type of green algae) has consistently caused the most damage, accounting for about one-quarter. Secondly, harm caused by "slimming drugs" (including weight-loss foods), oils, and royal jelly is also significant. Some health foods claim on their packaging, labels, or brochures that they have effects such as "cancer prevention and treatment," "treatment of constipation," "suitable for people with diabetes, high blood pressure, and arteriosclerosis," "can relieve fatigue, enhance physical strength, and promote sperm production," "help cure diseases," and "can increase height."

However, only approved pharmaceutical products can explicitly claim such effects. While health foods are expected to have the same effects as pharmaceuticals, their effectiveness is not guaranteed. Some people have excessively high expectations of health foods, missing the opportunity to receive proper treatment and consequently worsening their conditions. This situation must be noted. Some health foods contain synthetic chemicals such as sulfonamides and aspirin, or ingredients such as quinine, musk, angelica, antibiotics, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and digestive enzymes-ingredients only permitted in pharmaceuticals.