People in Hong Kong love drinking milk, as it's an important source of protein and calcium. However, if you accidentally drink expired milk, don't think "at worst, I'll have diarrhea a couple of times." The danger of expired milk can be as potent as poison. A 30-year-old man in mainland China drank spoiled, expired milk, which led to permanent damage to his intestinal function. Within 7 months, his weight plummeted by 26 kg, and he has yet to recover.
According to mainland Chinese media reports, a 30-year-old man in mainland China accidentally drank expired milk seven months ago, and problems have followed ever since. He experienced successive bouts of bloating, abdominal pain, and persistent constipation. Dr. Qiyi Chen, a colorectal disease specialist at Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, stated: "This patient previously had very good gastrointestinal function, but since drinking that expired milk, over seven months have passed, and his intestines have never functioned normally again."
Most shocking is that before the incident, the man weighed 70 kg and was in good physical condition. Seven months later, his weight plummeted to 43.5 kg, a drastic drop of 26 kg, equivalent to losing nearly 1 kg per week. This "pathological rapid weight loss" is not a healthy state of weight reduction but a serious warning sign that his body is being consumed by disease.
Many people misunderstand the dangers of expired milk, thinking the worst outcome is a few bouts of diarrhea, after which they'll be fine after "detoxifying." Doctors explain that this mindset is extremely dangerous. While milk is nutritious, the reason expired milk is so hazardous is that it becomes a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Once past its expiration date, bacteria multiply rapidly, leading to pathogens like:
When these bacteria enter the human body, they can cause acute gastroenteritis and, in severe cases, lead to systemic infection.
Chen points out: "The core problem for this man is that the bacteria from the expired milk caused a complete loss of his colon motility." Colon motility refers to the intestine's ability to do peristalsis, which is crucial for the smooth passage of food waste through the digestive system. Once the colon "goes on strike," feces stagnate in the intestine, triggering persistent constipation, bloating, and abdominal pain, creating a vicious cycle.
The doctor reminds the public: "In daily life, if you accidentally consume expired food, or experience persistent gastrointestinal discomfort like bloating, abdominal pain, or constipation, never try to tough it out." This type of gastrointestinal damage can be permanent and lead to more serious health problems.
