Stomachache
May 4th, 2006, 02:05 PM
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Stomachache
I accidently posted on the general site with this question and only got silliness, so here goes. I was talking to a friend yesterday and she mentioned that with the amount of cheese that you eat in the Alps and the altitude, that you need to be sure to drink wine instead of water or you will be doubled over in gastrointestinal pain. Anybody heard of this?
May 4th, 2006, 02:14 PM
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No, I haven't. Though (red) wine is considered a sort of digestif.
But it seems to me that you actually did get some non-silly responses here: http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34799101
Also, there's only one general Europe board. Choosing a country only makes a difference in being able to sort what's viewed.
But it seems to me that you actually did get some non-silly responses here: http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34799101
Also, there's only one general Europe board. Choosing a country only makes a difference in being able to sort what's viewed.
May 4th, 2006, 02:25 PM
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Not only have I never heard of this, we have spent lots of time in the Alps and never had any kind of digestive upset from the food or water. We do drink our share of wine, but I wouldn't attribute anything to that.
As for eating "too much" cheese, I suppose that could bother some people who have milk/lactose intolerance, but if that is the problem it shouldn't matter whether you drink wine or water.
It's not that difficult to avoid cheese in Switzerland if you are worried. The meat, chicken, bread, and vegetables are all fresh, well-prepared, and very good.
As for eating "too much" cheese, I suppose that could bother some people who have milk/lactose intolerance, but if that is the problem it shouldn't matter whether you drink wine or water.
It's not that difficult to avoid cheese in Switzerland if you are worried. The meat, chicken, bread, and vegetables are all fresh, well-prepared, and very good.
May 4th, 2006, 02:47 PM
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http://www.wineskinny.com/past_issues/health/tummy.htm
"...Dr. Martin Weisse of the University of Virginia's noted "for thousands of years, people have been saying that drinking wine with dinner aids digestion. . . and here we have an explanation why." A researcher at West Virginia University, Weisse and colleagues found in their study published in the British Medical Journal that both red and white wine effectively wipe out bacteria responsible for food-related ailments. "If you drink wine with your meals and the bacteria is in the food, as the food is in your stomach, and the wine is in your stomach, it will kill the bacteria before it has a chance to get into your intestines," Dr. Weisse explained."
Cheese by its very nature contains bacteria. And lots of people are also mildly lactose intolerant. So a glass or two of wine certainly couldn't hurt. But having a glass or two of water as well wouldn't be an issue.
"...Dr. Martin Weisse of the University of Virginia's noted "for thousands of years, people have been saying that drinking wine with dinner aids digestion. . . and here we have an explanation why." A researcher at West Virginia University, Weisse and colleagues found in their study published in the British Medical Journal that both red and white wine effectively wipe out bacteria responsible for food-related ailments. "If you drink wine with your meals and the bacteria is in the food, as the food is in your stomach, and the wine is in your stomach, it will kill the bacteria before it has a chance to get into your intestines," Dr. Weisse explained."
Cheese by its very nature contains bacteria. And lots of people are also mildly lactose intolerant. So a glass or two of wine certainly couldn't hurt. But having a glass or two of water as well wouldn't be an issue.
May 4th, 2006, 03:49 PM
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I agree with Scarlett. Anyone who has been around this board long enough would expect a few jokes when you ask about flatulence. Your thread made my day, and there's nothing wrong with that. This is not just a travel board, we often enjoy some good laughs together, so please, lighten up and join in the fun. 
And welcome to the board.
And welcome to the board.
May 4th, 2006, 04:26 PM
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Um, no. Do not drink wine instead of water, as wine will contribute to dehydration due to the diuretic effects of the alcohol.
So do drink plenty of water and non-alcoholic beverages whenever you're in a dry climate or at altitude, no matter what you're eating.
But to be on the safe side I'd also drink plenty of wine. One can never be too safe.
So do drink plenty of water and non-alcoholic beverages whenever you're in a dry climate or at altitude, no matter what you're eating.
But to be on the safe side I'd also drink plenty of wine. One can never be too safe.
May 4th, 2006, 04:54 PM
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I'm not so sure the issue is water or wine - but that the eating of massive amounts of semi-liquid cheese - and nothing else - esp for people who don;t ordinarily do it - can result in a how shall we say it - blockage - that can be quite uncomfortable.
May 4th, 2006, 08:25 PM
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This is all nonsense.
Drink water if you are thirsty. It doesn't matter how much cheese you've eaten. Wine will intoxicate and dehydrate you; water will not.
The alcohol content of wine is not high enough to kill GI microflora, so that conjecture is not valid, either.
You should not have a digestive upset from cheese unless you are intolerant to dairy products (possibly) or you have unusual problems with high-fat foods. Of course, eating anything to excess can upset the tummy.
Drink water if you are thirsty. It doesn't matter how much cheese you've eaten. Wine will intoxicate and dehydrate you; water will not.
The alcohol content of wine is not high enough to kill GI microflora, so that conjecture is not valid, either.
You should not have a digestive upset from cheese unless you are intolerant to dairy products (possibly) or you have unusual problems with high-fat foods. Of course, eating anything to excess can upset the tummy.
May 4th, 2006, 08:42 PM
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Pammyjo:
I certainly am no gastrointestinal specialist, but I will say this: I am lactose-intolerant, and the amount of alcohol consumed, at whatever altitude, has made no difference to my symptoms (though I am basing this on fondue consumed, not in the Alps, but in a Colorado ski town). On the other hand, the drop form of Lactaid has!
I also agree with other Fodorites that altitude and dehydration do not mix. For every glass of wine drink a glass of water.
I certainly am no gastrointestinal specialist, but I will say this: I am lactose-intolerant, and the amount of alcohol consumed, at whatever altitude, has made no difference to my symptoms (though I am basing this on fondue consumed, not in the Alps, but in a Colorado ski town). On the other hand, the drop form of Lactaid has!
I also agree with other Fodorites that altitude and dehydration do not mix. For every glass of wine drink a glass of water.
