The doctor named the causes of bloating after eating cucumber and tomato salad

Cucumber and tomato salad is considered one of the healthiest summer dishes, rich in vitamins, fiber and water. However, even a familiar and light meal sometimes causes discomfort in the intestines. Evgeny Belousov, a gastroenterologist at JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg clinic), Candidate of Medical Sciences, told Izvestia about this on July 29.

According to the expert, the main cause of discomfort is not the vegetables themselves, but the dietary fiber and certain carbohydrates contained in them, which are partially not digested in the small intestine. Once in the colon, they become food for bacteria that release gases. This is especially pronounced in people with hypersensitivity of the intestine or irritable bowel syndrome.

"Fresh vegetables contain a lot of water and insoluble fiber. If a person rarely consumes them, and then eats a large bowl of salad, the intestines may temporarily react with gas formation. It's usually not dangerous and goes away on its own," Belousov said.

He also stressed that the way the salad is prepared is important. Adding a small amount of vegetable oil helps the absorption of vitamins, but heavy mayonnaise or fatty dressings can slow down the stomach and cause a feeling of heaviness. Salt helps to retain fluid, and very cold dishes provoke intestinal spasm in some people.

As for the myth of the incompatibility of cucumbers and tomatoes, Belousov clarified that there is no convincing scientific evidence for this. Discomfort is more often associated with the amount of food and the individual characteristics of the intestine, rather than with the combination of vegetables themselves.

The expert also identified foods that really increase gas formation if they are added to a salad— such as legumes, cabbage, onions, carbonated drinks or sweet desserts. For people with lactose intolerance, the risk increases when using creamy sauces.

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For most adults, the optimal portion of salad is 200-300 grams per meal. Belousov advised to gradually increase the amount of fiber to reduce the load on the intestines. People with chronic gastrointestinal diseases or after surgery should approach fresh vegetables with caution and consult a doctor with regular symptoms.

The doctor stressed that it is important for safety to distinguish normal food bloating from symptoms that require examination. If the discomfort occurs only after overeating and goes away after a few hours, there is no cause for alarm. But if you experience constant bloating, pain, bleeding, weight loss, or nocturnal symptoms, you should consult a specialist.

To minimize unpleasant sensations, Belousov recommends eating lettuce in small portions, chewing vegetables thoroughly, peeling cucumbers if necessary and cutting them into small pieces. It is useful to combine salad with a protein source such as fish, chicken or cottage cheese and avoid large amounts of bread, soda and sweets.

According to him, with moderate consumption, cucumber and tomato salad remains a useful part of the diet and brings more benefits than temporary discomfort.

On July 19, Roskachestvo named the useful properties of radish and the rules for its selection. Experts reported that the root vegetable is rich in vitamins B and PP, as well as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium and iron. B vitamins support the functioning of the nervous system, help to tolerate stress more easily and participate in energy metabolism. Vitamin PP, along with potassium and magnesium, helps strengthen blood vessels.