Foods for Stomach Ulcers: What to Eat and Avoid?

A layer of mucus protects one’s stomach from digestive acids. When this layer gets reduced, these acids degrade the mucous layer causing painful sores to form along the lining of the stomach. Also known as gastric ulcer, stomach ulcer is a type of peptic ulcer disease. Its treatment depends on the cause of the ulcer.

While it is true that food does not directly cause or treat diseases, certain food items provide relief and help you heal faster. This blog focuses on the good and bad foods for stomach ulcers. Let us discuss this in detail.

In days gone by, patients suffering from stomach ulcers were advised to consume a bland diet. But modern medical research does not support that view. Doctors recommend that their patients eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and foods rich in probiotics, vitamin C and fibres. With that in mind, let us look at what to eat with stomach ulcers:

1. Honey

Honey contains high amounts of flavonoids which are beneficial for various metabolic activities in our body. In addition, its antioxidant and antisecretory properties help to prevent the development of gastric ulcers. So, honey should form an essential part of the diet for stomach ulcers.

Patients can have a tablespoon of honey in the morning and at night. It would calm their stomach. They can also spread it out on bread or crackers during breakfast and snacks.

2. Olive Oil

Olive oil has antimicrobial properties. This effectively helps to combat the bacteria that cause stomach ulcers. Moreover, it has high levels of polyphenol, which provides protection against ulcer-causing bacteria.

Olive oil is a food item that comes with many health benefits. It maintains cardiac health, reduces inflammation and combats cancer. All of these benefits make it the right medium for cooking food for stomach ulcer patients.

3. Berries

These are an essential addition to a list of good foods for stomach ulcer patients. Berries can effectively reduce the bacterial infection that caused the stomach ulcer in the first place. Patients can consume strawberries, raspberries, elderberries, bilberries, and blueberries.

Many berries are rich in antioxidants, vitamin C and flavonoids. By consuming berries, the growth of H. pylori bacteria is halted. Furthermore, blueberries also help in improving cardiac health, improving bone strength and lowering blood pressure.

4. Broccoli

Broccolis contain a chemical called sulforaphane which has significant antibacterial effects. As per a 2017 study, sulforaphane (SFN) restricts the growth of H pylori and mitigates gastritis caused by SFN.

Consuming broccolis helps to reduce stomach pain. Furthermore, it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and improves the functioning of the immune system. Patients should eat a cup of broccoli, either raw or cooked, every day if they are experiencing stomach pain.

5. Fermented Foods

Fermented foods play an essential role in maintaining gastric health. These are major sources of microbes necessary for a healthy gut microbiome, including yeasts, fungi and bacteria. Eating fermented foods reduces H. pylori infection in the gastrointestinal tract.

Additionally, the active microbes in fermented foods facilitate the reduction of inflammation. Moreover, they improve the histological conditions of the ulcers. Some fermented food items that patients can try are sauerkraut, miso, kefir, kimchi, tempeh etc.

6. Probiotics

Many people commonly believe that probiotics are the same as fermented foods. However, they are not the same because not all fermented foods contain probiotics. Probiotics are helpful bacteria/yeasts that live in our digestive tract and help in digestion and protect our body from diseases.

Probiotics help remove Helicobacter pylori bacteria and increase the recovery rate for people suffering from stomach ulcers. The food items where probiotics are present include yoghurt, buttermilk, probiotic kefir, probiotic pills and probiotic powder.

7. Dietary Fibres

These occupy a vital position in the list of foods for stomach ulcer patients. Dietary fibre-rich foods effectively lower the acid amount in one's stomach. It also helps in easing bloating and provides relief from the pain.

Additionally, a diet rich in fibres can help prevent the development of stomach ulcers. Patients can consume flax seeds, legumes, oats, apples, oranges, carrots and nuts for their fibre requirements.

8. Vitamin A-Rich Foods

Consumption of foods rich in Vitamin A helps people suffering from stomach ulcers. Moreover, regular intake of Vitamin A reduces the risk of developing gastric ulcers. This is because these food items improve mucus production in the gastrointestinal tract. This prevents the development of ulcers.

People can consume carrots, pumpkins, watermelon and papaya. They can also include collard greens, spinach, sweet potatoes and broccoli in their diet.

9. Flavonoid-Rich Foods

Flavonoid-rich foods strengthen the mucus, bicarbonate, antioxidant enzymes and prostaglandin. These are protective factors in the stomach. In addition, the anti-ulcer effects in flavonoids resist the effects of H. pylori, secretion of gastric acid, pepsin, anti-inflammatory and non-steroidal drugs, oxidative stress etc.

People who have stomach ulcers can consume foods and drinks rich in flavonoids. Such food items include legumes, soybeans, red grapes and apples. Additionally, people can consume green tea, broccoli, berries and kale.

Let us move on to another important section. Listed below are certain food items that people with stomach ulcers should avoid:

1. Fried Foods

People with stomach ulcers should avoid fried foods like chips, fried chicken, onion rings, fried chicken, doughnuts and onion rings. Food items fried at high temperatures harm the natural layer of protection in the digestive tract and develop stomach ulcers.

Fatty foods also take longer to digest, causing bloating and stomach pain. So, you ensure not to have fried foods like potato chips, fries, fried chicken and doughnuts if you have stomach ulcers.

2. Alcohol

Consumption of alcohol will inflame and damage the stomach lining. Moreover, it irritates stomach ulcers. Even if you do not have gastric ulcers, excessive drinking of alcohol can lead to its development.

If you have stomach ulcers, it is a good idea to avoid any alcohol consumption.

3. Acidic Foods

It is best to keep acidic foods away from the food list of a stomach ulcer diet. For example, people should avoid eating citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and grapefruits if they have stomach ulcers. Moreover, they must avoid white bread, processed cereals and white rice.

4. Milk

It will be a good idea not to consume milk. Though drinking milk will help in soothing the ulcer pain, it will be temporary. Milk also makes the stomach produce acid and digestive juices in large numbers. This can worsen the condition of stomach ulcers.

As mentioned before, there are certain food items that are helpful in minimising symptoms of stomach ulcers. On the other hand, some food items cause acid reflux, and thus, worsen the symptoms. The following are some of the factors that patients should consider when choosing a diet for stomach ulcers:

• Consult a Professional: If you want to follow a diet plan to reduce your stomach ulcer, then you should consult a professional like a dietician or nutritionist. They have a lot of experience in this field, and they will be able to suggest the right diet plan for your needs.
• Create a Budget: One of the major reasons why people abandon their diet plans midway is because it gets too expensive after a certain point to keep up with it. Choose food items that will be easier for you to purchase regularly. You can also discuss the monthly budget that you are willing to spend on the diet with your dietician or nutritionist.
• Health Preferences: As mentioned earlier in the blog, there are several good foods for stomach ulcers. However, they might not suit every patient as some may be allergic to these food items. That is why it is important to take into consideration all the health problems that the patient is suffering from other than a stomach ulcer.

You can make the following lifestyle choices to reduce the risk of developing stomach ulcers:

• Do not mix alcohol with medication.
• Limit the usage of naproxen, ibuprofen and aspirin.
• Do not consume more than two alcoholic beverages in a day.
• Wash your hands frequently to prevent infections.
• Quit smoking cigarettes and usage of tobacco.
• Eat a balanced diet containing fruits, vegetables, whole grains and flavonoid-rich foods.
• Exercise on a regular basis.

Now, let us try to understand what causes stomach ulcers. Earlier, medical practitioners believed that certain food items were the reasons behind such ulcers. However, research has shown that regular consumption of pain-relieving drugs and bacterial infection are its leading causes. Let us look at the details:

• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): These medicines treat pain, inflammation (swelling) and high fever. Some of the common NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen. Although many patients take these medicines without experiencing any side effects, the risks remain. Many medical practitioners do not prescribe these medicines if they realize that the patients have a history of stomach ulcers.
• Helicobacter Pylori Bacteria: This is one of the two most common causes of stomach ulcers. Generally, this bacterial infection is harmless. Many people have experienced H. pylori infection. However, it may lead to a stomach ulcer or duodenal ulcer in some people.

Listed below are some of the common symptoms of stomach ulcers:

• Difficulty in swallowing food
• Feeling uncomfortable or unwell after eating
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of weight
• Stomach ache 

We need to remember that our dietary choices help in providing relief from gastrointestinal diseases. If you consume food for stomach ulcers like Vitamin A-rich items, berries, fresh vegetables and dietary fibres during gastric ulcers, you may experience relief.

Fresh fruits and food items like honey, green tea and olive oil carry immense benefits and should be a regular food item in our meals. However, it is a good idea to consult your doctor before deciding on a diet.