The doctor warned about the risks of eating okroshka for gastrointestinal diseases and diabetes

Okroshka can be both a healthy summer dish and a risk factor for people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and metabolic disorders. Svetlana Kanevskaya, Deputy Chief Physician for Internal Medicine and Longevity of the K+31 clinic network, told Izvestia about this on May 25.

According to the expert, the effect of okroshka on health depends primarily on the composition of the dish and the individual characteristics of the body. In the classic version, okroshka contains a lot of water and fiber, which makes it suitable for hot weather. However, with regular consumption, it is important to take into account the content of salt, saturated fats and fast carbohydrates.

"The differences between okroshka on kvass and on kefir are related not so much to caloric content as to the metabolic effect. Kefir provides additional protein and can positively affect the intestinal microbiota, whereas industrial kvass often contains added sugar and organic acids. Because of this, kvass is not suitable for people with diabetes, carbohydrate metabolism disorders and gastrointestinal diseases," the expert explained.

According to the doctor, the greatest restrictions apply to patients with gastritis, peptic ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome, liver and biliary tract diseases. Radishes, green onions, garlic, excess raw fiber, fatty meat products and large amounts of salt can worsen the symptoms. In addition, serving a dish too cold can provoke cramps and dyspepsia.

With caution, okroshka should also be consumed by people with obesity, diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome, especially if the dish contains sausage, potatoes and pickled ingredients.

At the same time, the expert emphasized that properly cooked okroshka can be considered a full meal. To do this, the dish should contain a low-fat protein source, vegetables, a moderate amount of potatoes and a controlled fat and salt content. The doctor called okroshka with lean meat or poultry, a predominance of vegetables and a base of unsweetened kvass or kefir without added sugar the best option.

In June last year, nutritionist and nutritionist Tatiana Sinko spoke about the unexpected benefits of okroshka. The specialist noted that this is a nutritious dish rich in proteins, fiber, vitamins and minerals.