DSN Dec17 Final

Dragon Sport News - Emagazine “The Independent Voice of Dragon Boat Sport” December 2017 Winter Edition
SPORTS SCIENCE CORNER
Dr.Leila Ataei is a lecturer and researcher in Sports Medicine & Physiology,
specialising in Exercise, Diet and Nutrition.
E-mail: Leila.Ataei1983@gmail.com
SURPRISE, SURPRISE ! FOODS AND DRINKS THAT ARE NOT ADVISEABLE TO EAT TOGETHER
Everyone’s body is different and therefore will experience various levels of sensitivity to wrong combinations
of food.. However, there are always exceptions’ and many of us can eat combinations of foods which would
adversely affect most people but never give us any bad experiences – well almost !!.
Basically, some of the immediate consequences of wrong food combinations, that people can experience,
are digestive un-ease, bloating, stomach ache, nausea, fatigue and – well you can guess the last one !.
While short-term effects can clear up within a day or two, wrong food combinations long term, may lead to
bad breath, dry skin, rashes, chronic inflammation, poor sleep, low energy, and digestion issues
Here are some popular pairings, found in most people’s diet, that may put your general health at
risk, especially if you have problems with your digestive system:-
TEA & MILK: "Black tea on its own, is rich in antioxidants that
help to decrease inflammation linked to many chronic diseases,
including heart disease and diabetes," says Alissa Rumsey, RD,
spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
However, splashing even a little milk (cow or soy) into your cup
of tea, short-circuits those benefits: "Milk proteins bind to
antioxidants in tea and prevent them from being absorbed," she
explains. What's more, milk doesn't even offer a calcium boost in
this situation.
"The caffeine in tea can decrease calcium absorption, If you
really want to add something to your tea, squeeze some lemon
juice in there instead. It'll actually increase the antioxidants that
your body can absorb."
Scientists have discovered that tea contains high levels of
compounds that help to reduce the amount of fat absorbed by
the gut and can cut cholesterol. However proteins found in cows'
milk neutralise this fat fighting ability.
BEANS & CHEESE: Protein in dairy products, like Cheese
combined with beans, a common pairing in Mexican restaurants,
is not such a good idea, as the combination of beans with dairy
products is almost guaranteed to lead to gas and bloating.
Similarly, skip cheese and tomatoes if you have a weak digestive
system or are working on detoxifying your body.
WHITE BREAD & JAM: Eating two or more simple
carbohydrates together, such as white bread and jam or a sugary
fizzy drink and French fries, do no favours for your body. Eating
them raises your blood sugar level fast and your body works very
hard to bring it down again. Once your blood sugar level drops,
your energy level and mood can bottom out too, leaving you tired
and irritated.
If don't like the idea of to giving up your white bread jam toasty,
then try switching to fiber-rich whole grain bread instead. Whole
grain helps to slow down your digestion and keeps you off the
blood sugar roller coaster.
SALAD & FAT-FREE DRESSING: A study in the American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a chemical in vegetables,
called Caroteoids, may help to reduced the risk of cancer,
cardiovascular disease, and macular degeneration. The study
also concluded that Caroteoids, in say a green salad are
absorbed more easily when paired with a full-fat salad dressing,
as opposed to low-fat or fat-free varieties. Splashing a green
salad with olive oil and vinegar has the same effect and is more
healthy too.
PROTEIN & STARCH (e.g. Lasagna, MC & cheese or
Grilled Cheese Sandwich).
Protein and starches need different enzymes and levels of acidity
to be digested. When eaten together, your body will digest protein
but not starch.
Undigested starchy food undergoes fermentation and
decomposition and overtime leads to poisonous end-products.
However there is some evidence that adding greens to hard-todigest
cheesy dishes makes them easier for the stomach.
FRUIT AFTER A MEAL: Fruit doesn’t combine well with other
foods because fruit contains simple sugars that require little
digestion, compared to foods rich in fat, protein and starch, which
stay in the stomach longer because they require more digestion.
So, if you eat fruit during or immediately after a meal, the fruit
sugar may stay too long in the stomach and ferment. The process
of fermentation can also cause gasses, swelling and pain in the
stomach, as well as intestinal problems
In general, it is preferable to eat fruit separately from proteins or
starches, especially if you are looking for a quick energy boost
from a fruit.
The best time to eat fruit is half an hour after food or in between
meals. Last but not least, eating melon and water-melon together
is not recommended, as these fruits should, ideally, be consumed
alone, not in combination with any other fruit.
LEMON DRESSING / CUCUMBER & TOMATO SALAD:
Cucumbers and tomatoes are not compatible with each other and
it is advisable not to eat them together. When they reach the
stomach and the process of fermentation starts, the acid released
in the abdominal cavity for digestion may cause numerous
digestive problems. Lemon does not go well with either.
DAIRY PRODUCTS & FRUIT: Mixing any sour fruits with
dairy products, like cold yogurt, can diminish digestive fire, change
the intestinal flora, produce toxins and cause sinus congestion,
cold, cough and allergies.
However, if you can’t resist the temptation of a yogurt parfait, there
are ways to make it more digestion friendly. First, go for a room
temperature natural unflavored yogurt. Secondly, mix in a little bit
of honey, cinnamon, and raisins instead of sour berries.
Dragon Boating. " More than a Sport – a Tradition " 17.