Ulcers are lesions in the stomach lining caused by penetration by acids and juices produced by the digestive system. Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori, is the culprit in the majority of ulcer cases. While specific foods are no longer thought to cause ulcers, sufferers should follow a diet that avoids stimulating these acids and fluids. Spicy foods are not the only irritants; trigger foods vary among individuals.
What to Avoid
Ulcers can be aggravated by cigarette smoke, caffeine, NSAIDs (usually in the form of aspirin or ibuprofen) and excessive alcohol intake. Spicy foods may be a problem for some, but so might any other food, regardless of its heat, acidity or richness.
The Milk Myth
For years, people have been drinking milk to "cure" ulcers. Milk may provide temporary relief from ulcer symptoms, but it does more harm than good. While coating the stomach lining, which in theory should help, milk also steps up the production of stomach acids and other fluids involved in digestion, worsening the problem.
Identifying Trigger Foods
It might seem difficult to discover which foods are problematic for the individual. One possibility is as simple as not consuming anything that causes heartburn.
Food Allergies
When antibiotic treatment fails to eradicate H. Pylori, food allergies might be to blame. Sandy Newmark, M.D., of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, suggested in an interview with Dr. Andrew Weil that patients try one of a variety of elimination diets for four to six weeks. Eating foods free of soy, wheat, peanuts and tree nuts, fish, shellfish and cow's milk will help to determine if a food allergy exists.
Vitamin C
A study done at the San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center found a link between vitamin C deficiency and the presence of H. pylori. While the evidence is inconclusive, eating foods rich in the vitamin might be helpful.
Soothing Teas
Two types of tea, peppermint and chamomile, can be comforting to those with ulcers. These herbal elixirs are not just psychologically healing; they actually calm the stomach lining.
Numbing Tea
Another type of tea can be helpful, but for a different reason. Drinking red pepper tea, made from hot water and cayenne pepper, may seem counter-intuitive. However, it helps numb stomach pain caused by ulcers.
Tags: stomach lining, Spicy foods
