Ulcers are painful sores found in the stomach, esophagus or intestine. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, ulcers actually affect more than 20 million in the U.S. Though it is often thought that stress leads to ulcers, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains that the main cause of ulcers is a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. People with ulcers should pay careful attention to their diet to make sure they get enough of the right foods. Certain foods can inhibit the growth of the H. pylori bacteria.
Apples
Apples are an excellent choice of food for people who have ulcers. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, diets rich in fiber from fruits, like apples, can help to prevent ulcers and speed the recovery for those suffering from ulcers. Apples also have compounds called flavonoids that inhibit the growth of H. pylori, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Eating apples may reduce the severity of an existing ulcer.
Olive Oil
According to Science Daily, adding olive oil to foods or using olive oil in cooking can prevent and treat infections cause by H. pylori which can lead to ulcers. It states that compounds called phenols found in olive oil help by coating the lining of the stomach and acting as an antibacterial agent for up to eight hours. Olive oil can be added to soups or strews, made into a salad dressing or used to replace butter when cooking.
Oranges
The World's Healthiest Foods website states that oranges are one of the best foods for people who have an ulcer or want to prevent them, because they are so rich in vitamin C. According to the World's Healthiest Foods website, people who have high levels of vitamin C in their bodies are less likely to become infected with the H. pylori bacteria that cause ulcers. Oranges may also help to reduce the likelihood of infection in a person who already has an ulcer.
Cranberries
While some people take cranberry supplements to reduce the growth of ulcers, eating fresh cranberries or drinking cranberry juice has the same effect, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Fresh cranberries have fiber, which encourages ulcer recovery, while both fresh cranberries and cranberry juice have flavonoids which reduce the growth of H. pylori, as stated by the University of Maryland Medical Center.
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