Diet tips for gastritis and stomach

ulcers
Medically reviewed by Saurabh (Seth) Sethi, M.D., MPH on January 9, 2020 — Written
by Lana Barhum

Foods to eat Diet tips Foods to eat Other lifestyle tips Outlook

If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works.

Gastritis is a digestive condition that involves inflammation of the

stomach lining. Symptoms include indigestion, burning stomach pain,
nausea, and frequent burping. For some people, dietary changes can
help.

There are different types and causes of gastritis. A common cause is infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
bacteria. Other causes include the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), a high consumption of
alcohol, and some inflammatory diseases, such as Crohn’s disease.

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 Some foods may increase the risk of H. pylori infection, and certain dietary habits can trigger stomach lining
erosion or otherwise worsen gastritis symptoms.

A person with gastritis may find it difficult to eat, resulting in a loss of appetite and unwanted weight loss.

Untreated gastritis can lead to ulcers, persistent pain, and bleeding. In some cases, it can become life-
threatening. Chronic stomach inflammation also increases the risk of stomach cancer.

In this article, find out how certain dietary and lifestyle changes may help reduce gastritis symptoms.

Learn more about gastritis here.

ADVERTISEMENT

Foods to eat
Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 Eating berries may help reduce gastritis and ulcer formation.

No specific diet can treat gastritis, but consuming certain foods may help improve symptoms or keep them from
getting worse.

Dietary changes may, for example, help protect the stomach lining and manage inflammation.

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 Foods to help prevent gastritis

Green tea and fresh fruits and vegetables may help protect the body from gastritis. These are good sources of
antioxidants, which can help ward off cell damage and disease by reducing levels of unstable compounds
called free radicals in the body.

Foods that may help inhibit the growth of H. pylori and reduce gastritis and ulcer formation include:

cauliflower, swede, cabbage, radishes, and other Brassica vegetables

berries, such as blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries
turmeric, a mild spice that may have anti-inflammatory properties

Antioxidants may also help prevent a wide range of other diseases. Here, learn more about antioxidants and
the foods that provide them.

Foods to help prevent symptoms

Gastritis involves inflammation of the stomach lining. For this reason, an anti-inflammatory diet may help some
people.

There is no single best anti-inflammatory diet. To combat inflammation, eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables,
and other plant foods, which are rich in antioxidants. It is also important to avoid processed foods and any
containing unhealthful fats and added salt or sugar.

Learn more about an anti-inflammatory diet here.

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 Foods to help treat gastritis

Two foods that may help treat gastritis are broccoli and yogurt.

Broccoli contains a chemical called sulforaphane, which has antibacterial properties. It also contains
antioxidants, which can help protect against cancer. For this reason, eating broccoli sprouts may help relieve or
prevent gastritis and decrease the risk of stomach cancer.

Authors of an older study, published in 2009, found that participants with H. pylori infection who ate 70 grams
— more than half a cup — of broccoli sprouts per day for 8 weeks had lower levels of infection and inflammation
than those who did not eat broccoli.

In 2006, another team investigated whether eating about 2 cups of probiotic yogurt daily before using a
combination of antibiotics could boost the ability of the medication to combat drug resistant H. pylori infection.

After 4 weeks, the researchers found that the participants who consumed the yogurt and antibiotics tended to
eliminate the infection more effectively than those who only took antibiotics.

The results may have stemmed from the yogurt’s active cultures of beneficial bacteria that help improve the
body’s ability to combat infection.

MEDICAL NEWS TODAY NEWSLETTER

Stay in the know. Get our free daily newsletter

Expect in-depth, science-backed toplines of our best stories every day. Tap in and keep your curiosity satisfied.

Enter your email

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 Enter your email SIGN UP NOW

Your privacy is important to us

Dietary tips
The following dietary changes may help prevent or manage gastritis:

Eat little but frequently: Eating five or six smaller meals throughout the day — rather than three large meals —
can help reduce the production of stomach acid.

Manage weight: Overweight and obesity increase the risk of developing gastritis. A doctor can help develop a
weight loss plan to reduce the risk of gastritis and other associated health issues.

Use antacids: A doctor can also advise about medications to reduce symptoms.

Ask a doctor about supplements: Some dietary supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids and probiotics, may
lessen the impact of gastritis.

Omega-3 supplements and probiotic supplements are available for purchase online. However, speak with a
doctor before trying these or other supplements, as they may interfere with treatments for other issues.

Also, some supplements, such as iron, may increase the risk of gastritis.

Which other home remedies may help with gastritis? Find out here.
ADVERTISEMENT

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 Foods to avoid
Foods that can make symptoms worse include:

spicy foods
alcohol
acidic foods
fried foods

Sometimes, an allergen can trigger inflammation. In this case, a doctor may recommend an elimination diet,
which involves excluding certain food groups from the diet to see whether it affects symptoms.

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 For example, one team of doctors reported that dairy and eggs caused a type of gastritis in one person. The
team had also investigated wheat, nuts, soy, seafood, and rice.

Anyone who is considering an elimination diet should speak to a doctor first, as it can cause nutritional
deficiency.

Foods that increase the risk of gastritis

A person may be more likely to develop gastritis if they consume:

red meats
processed meats
foods that are pickled, dried, salted, or smoked
salty foods
fatty foods
alcohol

Studies have shown that salty and fatty foods, for example, can change the stomach lining. High-salt diets can
alter the cells within the stomach, making them more prone to H. pylori infection.

A high intake of alcohol can also contribute to stomach inflammation and make symptoms worse. It can also
cause erosion of the stomach lining.

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 Other lifestyle tips
To help prevent or manage gastritis, try:

Quitting smoking: Smoking increases the risk of inflammation and mouth, esophageal, and stomach cancers.

Reducing stress: High levels of stress can trigger stomach acid production, which can worsen symptoms and
inflammation.

Checking any medications: Regularly using NSAIDs can increase the risk of damage to the stomach lining,
which can trigger or worsen symptoms of gastritis. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen are all examples of NSAIDs.

ADVERTISEMENT

Outlook
Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 Gastritis is a common digestive problem. Dietary changes may help prevent it and reduce symptoms, though
there is no evidence that any specific diet can help.

It may be beneficial to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and avoid processed foods and others high in
added fat and salt.

Q:
Is a bland diet helpful for a person with gastritis?

A:
It may be beneficial for a person with severe gastritis to eat a bland diet for a short period of time.

― Saurabh (Seth) Sethi, M.D., MPH

Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical
advice.

GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses Nutrition / Diet

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
  13 sources   v 

RELATED COVERAGE

Everything you need to know about

stomach ulcers
Medically reviewed by Natalie Butler, RD, LD

About 1 in every ten people in Western countries will develop a stomach ulcer at
some point. Ulcers are typically caused by bacteria or as a side…

READ MORE 

What's to know about peptic ulcers?

Medically reviewed by Nancy Choi, MD

What are the symptoms of peptic ulcers? Find out here along with information on
the most common causes and effective treatments for peptic ulcers.

READ MORE 

N t l
Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API di f t iti PDFCROWD
 Natural remedies for gastritis
Medically reviewed by Karen Cross, FNP, MSN

While there are instances where medical treatment is necessary to treat gastritis,
many people find they can manage the symptoms at home.

READ MORE 

All about food poisoning

Medically reviewed by University of Illinois

Eating contaminated food can lead to diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal
pain. It can also cause inflammation and develop into stomach flu. The…

READ MORE 

What causes a bleeding ulcer, and is it

serious?
Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M.D.

An ulcer is a sore that does not heal quickly On occasion these can rupture or
Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 An ulcer is a sore that does not heal quickly. On occasion, these can rupture or
bleed and cause serious health problems. In severe cases, they can be…

READ MORE 

Get our newsletter

Health tips, wellness advice and more.

Enter your email

SUBSCRIBE

Your privacy is important to us

v 

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD
 Popular News Editorial Articles All News Topics

Knowledge Center Ad Policy Newsletters

Share Our Content About Us Our Editorial Team

Careers Contact Us Advertise With MNT

Privacy Do Not Sell My Info Terms

Privacy Settings

© 2004-2020 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. All rights reserved. MNT is the
registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a
substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare
professional.

Create PDF in your applications with the Pdfcrowd HTML to PDF API PDFCROWD