Altijd Jong – RTL4
Tanja Jess interviews Saskia van As, author of the books Darmklachten and Superfood Brood about gastrointestinal complaints and nutrition. During the interview she asks three questions:
- Why do so many people have gastrointestinal complaints?
- What does the Darmklachten.nl laboratory offer?
- People are eating bread less often; should we avoid bread?
Why do so many people have gastrointestinal complaints?
This is a relevant question, as one in five people in the Netherlands suffers from intestinal complaints. One of the main causes of gastrointestinal complaints is infection with single-celled intestinal parasites. A large number of adults and children are infected with the parasite Dientamoeba fragilis. They experience flatulence, a bloated abdomen and mushy stools, and children in particular also have abdominal pain. More attention should be paid to intestinal parasites, especially because children can become infected quickly at nursery school. Conscious attention to hygiene and prevention can help bring this epidemic under control.
Why laboratory testing of stool?
The analysis options offered by Darmklachten.nl are broader than standard testing. Stool testing can detect an infectious condition, as well as digestive problems, reduced resistance and the composition of the gut flora. Gut bacteria protect people. They produce healthy fats and, with a high-calorie diet, play a role in overweight. An analysis of the bacterial profile (the enterotype test) is very useful.
Does bread cause complaints?
The answer to the question ‘should we eat less bread or no bread at all?’ has two parts.
Answer A
For many people, it is better not to eat bread. Both wheat and gluten can cause diseases, and many people also feel fitter when they avoid bread. This is because bread is made from grains that contain a lot of starch. Glucose molecules are released from the starch and absorbed through the wall of the small intestine into the blood. This overload is not the biggest problem. Not enough food reaches the large intestine. The large intestine has its own function, determined by gut bacteria that feed on plant stems and cell structures. The bacteria have enzymes that humans lack. During fermentation of fibre-rich plant materials, sugars such as glucose, xylose and fucose are released. They provide the raw materials for fatty-acid and mucus production. The core of our existence is formed by (100 trillion) gut bacteria that together weigh 1 to 1.5 kilos.
Answer B
Do not just omit the bread; omit the grains. This includes spelt bread, which contains gluten, and gluten-free bread made from maize and rice starch.
Gluten means glue; it makes the dough sticky and easy to work with. But we do not need gluten to make bread. Nature is rich in sticky substances; you can make bread from seaweed, berries, natural gums, binding agents and vegetables. Natural fibre-rich products that originally belong in our diet. Eat food that reaches the large intestine and keeps the gut flora healthy.
