Fruit on an Ulcer Diet

Ulcers are open sores that can occur in the stomach and a part of the intestines called the duodenum. Ulcers can have no symptoms or might cause pain in the abdomen. Ulcers can become serious if they lead to bleeding into the gastrointestinal tract. Diet is important in relation to ulcers; fruit is one food that can help prevent and treat ulcers. Talk to your doctor about treatment and a specialty diet.

Fiber

If you have an ulcer, fiber, which fruits contain, can help your body heal. Fiber is also associated with lowering your chances of developing an ulcer by half, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center. The soluble fiber in fruit seems to offer protection from duodenal ulcers, according to an August/September 2000 review article in the journal “Digestive and Liver Disease.”

Antioxidants

The antioxidants in fruit might prevent or help treat ulcers. Eat fruits with flavonoid antioxidants to slow the bacteria Heliobacter pylori, which can be responsible for some ulcers. Fruits with flavonoids include cranberries, cherries, blueberries and apples.

Vitamins

Fruit also provides many vitamins that help ulcers. Vitamin A helps protect your digestive system and is in fruits like apricots and cantaloupe. Fruits with B vitamins are recommended for ulcers, including citrus fruits and bananas. Vitamin C might help heal bleeding stomach ulcers. Citrus fruit, cantaloupe, kiwis and strawberries all contain vitamin C. Citrus fruits might aggravate an ulcer, so check with your doctor before eating them.

Fruits on a Bland Diet

Some types of fruit are included in the foods that are safe to eat on a bland diet for ulcers. On this diet, you can consume fruit juice and cooked or canned fruit that has the skin and seeds taken out, without too much fiber. On this diet, you should avoid fresh and dried fruit. However, "The Medical Clinics of North America" explains that it is not always necessary to go on a restrictive diet if you have an ulcer, so talk to your doctor for recommendations.