What should people with stomach ulcers eat, and what should they avoid?

• Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin A, and there is evidence that this helps heal stomach ulcers as well as plays a role in preventing ulcers from forming. Other foods rich in vitamin A include spinach, carrots, cantaloupe, and beef liver.
• Red bell peppers: Red bell peppers contain a lot of vitamin C, which helps protect the stomach from ulcers in various aspects. Vitamin C plays an important role in the wound-healing process. People who lack vitamin C are more likely to develop ulcers than others. In addition to red bell peppers, many other foods are also rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, and broccoli.

3. Foods that are not good for people with stomach ulcers

• Fresh milk: Before the advent of modern treatments for stomach ulcers, milk was believed to have the ability to heal stomach ulcers, but this was a false belief. Not only does milk not heal or alleviate ulcers, but it can also cause the stomach to secrete more acid, making the ulcer worse.
• Alcohol and alcoholic beverages: If you are at high risk of developing stomach ulcers or already have ulcers, it is best to avoid alcohol and alcoholic beverages completely, or limit them as much as possible, as studies have shown that they irritate and even damage the digestive tract, and make ulcers worse.

• Fatty foods: Fatty foods take longer to digest, leading to pain and bloating, which are worse in people with stomach ulcers. It is best to limit the consumption of these foods.
• Spicy foods: For a long time, spicy foods have been believed to be the main cause of stomach ulcers, but this is not true. However, for some individuals, spicy foods can worsen their symptoms. Therefore, people with stomach ulcers should avoid spicy foods.
• Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits have natural acids that may irritate ulcers. While there is currently no strong evidence supporting this claim, individual reactions to foods can vary greatly. If symptoms worsen after consuming citrus fruits, it is advisable to avoid them.
• Chocolate: This delicious food offers many health benefits; however, some individuals with stomach ulcers report feeling uncomfortable after consuming it. Therefore, if someone experiences discomfort after eating chocolate, they should avoid it.
• Caffeine: Current studies on caffeine in patients with stomach ulcers have produced contradictory results, making it difficult to reach a definitive conclusion about its consumption, particularly in coffee. It is generally advised to limit caffeine intake, and it is wise to heed this advice until the ulcers have fully healed.

If gastric ulcers are not detected and treated promptly, they will cause many dangerous complications such as stomach perforation, stomach cancer, gastrointestinal bleeding, and gastric pyloric stenosis. The best way to protect your health is to have regular general health check-ups.

Vinmec International General Hospital offers General Health Check-up packages tailored to various ages, genders, and individual needs, all at reasonable prices.

• Diamond general health check-up package
• Vip general health check-up package
• Special general health check-up package
• Comprehensive general health check-up package
• Standard general health check-up package

The patient's examination results will be returned to their home. After receiving the general health check-up results, if any diseases that require further examination and treatment are detected, you can use services from other specialties right at the Hospital with outstanding treatment quality and customer service.

To arrange an appointment, please call HOTLINE or make your reservation directly HERE. You may also download the MyVinmec app to schedule appointments faster and manage your reservations more conveniently.