Some people suffering from gastritis say that cucumbers are a miracle food to relieve symptoms of the disease. Others say that cucumbers can trigger painful symptoms. If you are a fan of this popular vegetable, here is what you need to know about the latest research.
Gastritis and your diet
What you eat does not cause gastritis, says the National Institute of Diabetes and digestive and renal diseases. But certain substances and foods can irritate the mucosa of your stomach and cause an escape from gastritis symptoms, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Understanding what foods trigger symptoms of gastritis is one of the first stages of potential discomfort or pain prevention. Some people suffering from gastritis have no symptoms, but others may experience superior abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, unkindibly full sensation after eating or loss of appetite.
Hardeep M. Singh, MD, gastroenterologist and medical director of endoscopy at St. Joseph Hospital of Orange, California, explains that alcohol can be irritating for those who suffer from gastritis. In addition, spicy foods and caffeine can trigger discomfort or pain associated with rockets of gastritis. (These symptoms can be worse if you also have food allergies.)
Treat symptoms of gastritis
The treatment of gastritis depends on the cause, according to Mayo Clinic. Taking an over -the -counter antacid or protons inhibitor can reduce acid production to alleviate symptoms and help cure your digestive tract.
However, long -term use of proton pump inhibitors, in particular at higher doses, can increase the risk of developing infections, polyps, precancerous conditions and iron deficiency, according to a systematic review in Curet. Although these drugs can work well at the start, using them in the long term can cause side effects. Some drugs can also become less effective over time.
In addition to using drugs to relieve symptoms, avoiding triggering food is another approach to find relief, according to Mayo Clinic. You can also consider trying different foods that can act as natural antacids.
Natural foods for relief of gastritis
According to a review published in NutrientsCucumbers (among other natural foods) can help stamp gastric acid and reduce irritation in the esophagus. Revue authors say that adding foods that have a neutral or alkaline pH can help neutralize gastric acid and potentially reduce gastrointestinal symptoms, although it is important to note that symptoms of “gastritis” can vary considerably.
If cucumbers aggravate symptoms or if you want more options, the study has also found similar advantages of bananas, melons and green leaves.
Cucumbers have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties; However, there are insufficient high -quality clinical evidence to recommend cucumbers as a specific therapy for gastritis, and additional research is necessary to clarify their role in the relief of symptoms.
Some studies suggest that drinking green tea regularly can reduce the risk of gastritis by 50%, although there is not yet enough evidence to recommend green tea as a preventive measure, according to the doctors committee for responsible medicine.
While other foods have been temporarily reported as contributors to gastritis, the doctors committee for responsible medicine says that there is limited or non -conclusive research which connects them to a higher risk of gastritis. These include coffee, alcohol and spices such as black pepper, chili powder and red pepper.
The bottom line
Always listen to your body and answer accordingly. For some, cucumbers can act as a natural antacide to relieve the symptoms of gastritis. However, if you find that cucumbers trigger your symptoms, do not eat them, no matter what you may have heard from someone else.
It is also important to note that severe and chronic gastritis can lead to ulcers or erosions in the stomach that bleed, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Renal diseases. If this is the case, you may notice symptoms such as blood in your vomit (especially if it looks like a coffee grounds), black or tar stools or blood in your stool. This can also leave you tired, breathless or stunning. If you ever have one of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
