Seaweed Tofu Soup Relieves Constipation

——Q1 Would bowel health be affected by defecation?

Smooth defecation is a key focus for maintaining a healthy gut.

Formation of Feces

In general, the rectum is normally empty and without accumulated fecal matter. However, when food residue remains in the large intestine, part of the water is absorbed by the intestinal mucosa. After the food residue undergoes decomposition and fermentation by bacteria in the large intestine, it forms feces. Normal defecation indicates that daily toxins and waste from metabolism are smoothly expelled from the body, allowing normal bodily function without toxin accumulation leading to illness, ensuring gut and immune system health.

How can one determine if their gut is healthy? To understand gut health, observing daily bowel movements can help in determining:

1. Frequency: Once per day

Once a day is the basic indicator of gut health; if you cannot defecate every day, at least ensure two days for one defecation, and do not spend too long on the toilet, usually 2 to 3 minutes.

2. Volume: At least 150 grams

The volume is an indicator of gut health; a normal amount of feces per bowel movement should be at least 150 grams, roughly the weight of one banana. 3. Color: Yellow-brown

If the color of the feces is too dark, it indicates bacterial decomposition within the intestines;

if it is completely black, it suggests possible intestinal abnormalities and should seek medical examination.4. Shape: Long, strip-like

Strip-like and medium-hard feces indicate appropriate fiber intake that can absorb sufficient water and toxins to form complete shapes for smooth passage through the intestines.

5. State: Floats on water

Feces floating on water indicates adequate fiber intake producing enough gas, making them lighter;

if they sink to the bottom, increase fiber intake to avoid constipation.6. Odor: No strong odor

Normal healthy feces should have a simple or mild odor.

If feces frequently carry a foul smell, it suggests bacterial decay in the intestines and aging phenomena.——Q2 Why are women more prone to constipation than men?

Among those suffering from constipation, females make up the majority.

Analyzing both innate physiological structure and postnatal behaviors, the rate of constipation issues among women is about twice as high as that in men. Reason 1 Different Anatomical Structures

The uterus of a woman is located in the pelvis, compressing the rectum which significantly increases the curvature of the sigmoid colon. Thus, feces take longer and slower to pass through the rectum compared to men, making it easier for constipation.

Additionally, the anal sphincter area in front of women's anus has weaker abdominal muscle strength, thus often insufficient force is produced to defecate. Furthermore, hormonal differences may result in slower natural gut motility for women, hence they are more prone to constipation compared to men.

Reason 2 Physiological Changes During Pregnancy

Women during pregnancy are more likely to experience constipation because the growing fetus gradually compresses the rectum, hindering venous return at the rectal-anus junction.

Moreover, pelvic floor muscles become relaxed due to pregnancy, leading to potential constipation and hemorrhoids. In early pregnancy, increased progesterone secretion slows down gut motility, reducing food transit speed in the large intestine, prolonging water absorption time causing harder stools, thus leading to constipation.

Reason 3 Differences in Lifestyle and Exercise Habits

Most women prefer sedentary activities with less overall activity compared to men. They are generally less inclined towards exercise, resulting in weaker abdominal muscle strength making it difficult to defecate effectively.

Due to inconvenience in public toilets for women, they often hold their bowel movements, disrupting normal bowel rhythm and thus more prone to constipation. Reason 4 Dietary Habits

Many women prefer refined foods over coarse grains with high fiber content. As a result, the likelihood of constipation is relatively higher.

Due to dieting for a slender figure, nutritional intake may be imbalanced and insufficient, lacking fats and fibers which cannot lubricate the intestines leading to reduced motility and impaired smooth bowel movements. Kelp

Mung BeanSoup (1 serving) Cooking Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆

● Calories 118.4 kcal

● Carbohydrates 12g

Protein 10g

● ● Fat 3.8g● Dietary Fiber 2.8g

Health Points: Moisturizes and regulates metabolism

Ingredients: Kelp 1 large piece, Mung Bean 1 block,

celery

2 stalks, red radish 1/3 root Seasoning: vinegar

1 tablespoon, salt 1/2 teaspoon Preparation Steps: 1. Rinse the mung bean and cut it into pieces.

Wash the red radish, peel off the skin and cut it into small cubes;

wash the celery, remove the hard stems and cut them into segments;

2.rinse kelp and tear it into small pieces. 2. Put the mung bean and red radish in a pot with an appropriate amount of water and cook over high heat.3. Once boiling, add salt for seasoning, then add celery and kelp and continue cooking on low heat.4. Bring to a boil again and mix in vinegar before serving.

Intestinal Benefits: The calcium from tofu and the minerals from kelp help maintain intestinal pH balance, promoting digestion;

the dietary fiber in kelp aids in gut motility, improving constipation.

Note: When selecting kelp, it is not true that the darker the color the better. Fresh kelp has a dark green or purple-brown color with a shiny surface, no fishy odor, and feels dry to touch. Kelp can easily become damp if stored improperly, turning red in color and uneven in thickness.

Intestinal Health Benefits: Tofu contains calcium and minerals from kelp which help maintain intestinal acid-base balance for better metabolism and digestion;the dietary fiber in kelp promotes gut motility, alleviating constipation.

Reminder: When choosing kelp, avoid those with a reddish color due to improper storage; fresh kelp should be dark green or purple-brown in color. Seaweed is prone to moisture, and if improperly stored, it may turn red and become uneven in thickness.

- Q3 Why is seaweed the best natural health supplement?Ingredients？

Seaweed contains various nutrients and a large amount of dietary fiber, which can reduce the body's absorption of cholesterol and fat, promote intestinal peristalsis, facilitate bowel movement, and help expel harmful substances from the body, protecting the intestines. In addition, seaweed has abundant iodine content, beneficial for patients with iodine deficiency goiter to replenish appropriately.