It's the season when peas are on the market in large quantities, and in the vegetable market, a basket of fresh and green peas comes into view, and the beans are so full that they seem to be about to burst in the next second, exuding a fresh breath, just looking at it is greedy. Many people favor peas, thinking that it is an excellent choice for a healthy diet, rich in protein, dietary fiber and various vitamins, eating often can enhance immunity, but also help intestinal peristalsis smooth. But did you know that for some specific groups of people, peas are not a casual delicacy, and if you eat too much or in the wrong way, it may bring a little trouble to your health?

腸胃嬌弱者：豌豆或成 “腸胃負擔”

Peas have always been a nutritious and healthy ingredient in everyone's eyes, full of dietary fiber, vitamins, and plant protein. But for people who are not very "strong", especially those with sensitive stomachs, peas are not so "friendly". Although dietary fiber has many benefits for intestinal health, people with poor gastrointestinal function will make their stomach more uncomfortable if they eat too many peas or do not choose the right cooking method.

I once met such a middle-aged female patient. She was often plagued by stomach bloating and indigestion, and every time she ate peas or other legumes, her symptoms were like lit flames, jumping upwards. She frowned and complained to me, every time she ate peas, her stomach felt like it had been spelled, it was swollen and painful, and she also caused a "diarrhea storm" from time to time. After a series of detailed examinations, it was found that her gastrointestinal tract was weak, and her intestinal tolerance to dietary fiber was particularly low. After the peas entered her stomach, the digestive system was like an old cow that had been burdened and couldn't pull the car, which naturally triggered this series of uncomfortable symptoms.

The anti-nutritional factors and dietary fiber contained in peas are not very digestible, which is not a "good stubble" for those who are already uncomfortable in the gastrointestinal tract, such as patients with chronic gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux, or poor gastrointestinal peristalsis. These ingredients in peas are likely to make gastrointestinal discomfort worse. For example, the complex sugars in peas are fermented in the intestines, just like blowing a balloon in the stomach, which will produce a lot of gas, resulting in bloating, hiccups, and in severe cases, diarrhea, making the patient miserable.

Patients with kidney disease: pea protein should be vigilant

For people with kidney disease, eating and drinking should be as careful as walking a tightrope. Peas are rich in protein and are a good supplement for healthy people, but when it comes to kidney disease patients, they can become an "invisible killer" that increases the burden on the kidneys. Patients who eat a large amount of high-plant protein foods for a long time, and whose kidney function is already impaired, feel like they are carrying an overloaded burden and are under great pressure. Once the kidneys are unable to process excess protein, a variety of health problems can ensue.

I saw a patient with chronic kidney disease who was initially stable and his kidney function was not severely impaired. But in a follow-up, I found that his urine protein level was like a rocket, rubbing upward. After carefully inquiring about his diet and daily life, I learned that during that time, he was obsessed with peas, and felt that the vegetable protein of peas was healthier than animal protein, so he ate them openly, and the intake of peas and other legumes increased significantly. I hurriedly explained to him that although the vegetable protein in peas is beneficial to ordinary people, for patients with chronic kidney disease, excessive intake is like putting a boulder on the kidneys, which will accelerate the decline of kidney function. Eventually, he heeded the advice and reduced the amount of peas he consumed, and also increased the monitoring of kidney function.

The kidneys are like the body's "filtering guards", and their main responsibility is to filter waste products from the blood and remove excess protein. However, the kidney function of patients with kidney disease is already compromised, and excessive protein, especially plant protein, will increase the workload of the kidneys, and when the kidneys are too busy to effectively process these wastes, problems such as proteinuria and kidney failure may come to the door. Therefore, patients with kidney disease should keep their mouths shut, do not overeat peas, especially when the condition is severe, they must strictly follow the doctor's dietary advice and control their protein intake.

Patients with hyperthyroidism: pea composition has an effect

Hyperthyroidism, a disease in which the endocrine system goes wrong, is a disease in which the patient's metabolism is like an out-of-control small motor, spinning rapidly. They often have a great appetite, lose weight like a slide, and have a heart rate that beats like a drum. Although peas are highly nutritious, for patients with hyperthyroidism, some of the ingredients contained in them, like "little devils" that quietly make trouble, can interfere with the synthesis and metabolism of thyroid hormones, making the condition worse.

I once treated a patient with hyperthyroidism, and when she first received treatment, her weight plummeted, her heart beat so fast that she could hear it, and she was anxious and tired. She told me that during the treatment, she felt that peas were a healthy food and good for her health, so she gradually increased the amount of food. But after examination, I found that her thyroid hormone level was still high, and even though she had been taking medication, her condition did not improve significantly. After digging deeper into her eating habits, I found out the reason, the phytoestrogens and anti-nutritional factors in peas may have secretly affected the metabolic process of thyroid hormones, making the condition worse.

Peas are legume plants that contain more phytoestrogens and enzyme inhibitors. Although the effects of these ingredients on thyroid function are still being studied, for patients with hyperthyroidism, eating too much peas is like adding fuel to the fire of the disease, which is likely to exacerbate metabolic disorders in the body and interfere with the normal work of the thyroid gland. Therefore, patients with hyperthyroidism should be more careful when eating peas, and do not be greedy, especially when the condition is not completely stable, they should be treated with caution.

Peas are available in large quantities and look tempting, but patients with gastrointestinal upset, kidney disease and hyperthyroidism must be cautious when eating. A healthy diet varies from person to person, and you can choose food reasonably according to your own condition in order to eat safely and healthily.

Proofread by Zhuang Wu