The soybean is a protein-rich legume that has very little cholesterol or saturated fat. These characteristics make soy a valuable part of a nutritious and well-balanced diet. If you have gastritis, your doctor may recommend that you eat soy as a vegetarian alternative to meat. If you have a soy allergy, however, you should avoid foods derived from soy to prevent the potentially painful symptoms of allergic gastritis.
Gastritis Symptoms
Gastritis is inflammation of the lining in the stomach. The most common symptoms of gastritis are stomach pain and upset. Other symptoms that may develop include heartburn, indigestion, hiccups, diminished appetite, nausea and vomiting. If the stomach lining begins to bleed from the inflammation, blood may be present in the vomit, which may appear like coffee grounds. Blood in the stool often makes the stool look particularly dark in color.
Soy Allergy-dependent Gastritis
The National Soy Research Laboratory reports that about 0.2 percent of the population has an allergy to soy that causes gastritis to develop. After people who are allergic eat soybeans or soy-based foods, the allergic reaction triggers inflammation in the stomach lining. Therefore, people with this allergy should avoid eating soybeans and soy-based foods, including soy beans, soy sauce, tofu and baked goods made with soy flour. The University of Alabama Health System notes that it is likely safe for people with soy allergies to eat foods with soy lecithin and soy oils, as these foods have very little soy protein, the component responsible for the allergy.
Soy Allergy-independent Gastritis
There are also many non-soy causes of gastritis. These include infections, especially the bacterium Heliobacter pylori; long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also called NSAIDS, alcohol and tobacco. If you have gastritis but are not allergic to soy, soy is a good addition to a nutritious diet. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends eating lower amounts of red meat, and to eat more soy-based foods. The fat in red meat can trigger more inflammation in the stomach lining and can aggravate existing gastritis symptoms. In contrast, soy is a great lean source of protein.
Identifying a Soy Allergy
If you or your doctor suspects that you have an allergy to soy that is causing gastritis, you may want to have a soy allergy test. There are two principle types of soy allergy tests: one involves the skin and the other tests the blood. For the skin test, the skin is pricked and a small amount of soy protein is placed on the small wound. If an allergy is present, a raised, itchy bump develops. For the blood test, a sample of blood is sent to a laboratory and is tested for the presence of antibodies specific for soy proteins, which are indicative of an allergy. Your doctor may recommend you have one or both of these tests performed.
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