Ulcers are open sores found in the stomach, intestines or esophagus. These sores can be very painful and can affect the quality of a person's daily life. Many people think that eating too many spicy foods cause ulcers, but science says otherwise. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that the two causes of ulcers are the overuse of anti-inflammatory medications and more commonly, a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori). Although diet doesn't cause ulcers, a healthy diet can help to heal them.
Celery
Celery is one of the best vegetables for a person with an ulcer to eat because of its high fiber content. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends that people with ulcers eat celery because the fiber in celery can speed the healing of open sores like ulcers. The Medical Center also states that celery contains a special compound called flavonoids, which slow and even stop the growth of the H.pylori bacteria.
Olive Oil
According to Science Daily, olive oil is another food that can be beneficial to people who suffer from ulcers. Science Daily also states that extra virgin olive oil especially, has high levels of phenolic compounds, which stay in the stomach for long periods at a time. The benefit of these compounds is that when they coat the stomach, they act as an antibacterial agent so that H.pylori cannot spread and cause, or increase, the growth of ulcers. Adding extra virgin olive oil to pastas and casseroles is an easy way to get the benefit of phenols.
Oranges
Though some people think that acidic foods like oranges may cause problems for people with ulcers, they can actually be very beneficial. According to the nutrition-based website World's Healthiest Foods, people who consume high levels of vitamin C, an antioxidant found in oranges, have a lower risk of having an ulcer. Additionally, people who get a lot of vitamin C from oranges may be able to heal from ulcers easier because the growth of the H.pylori bacteria is inhibited by vitamin C.
Yogurt
Another food that can help treat and reduce the presence of ulcers in the body is yogurt. The reason is that yogurt contains probiotics, such as lactobacillus acidophilus, which are a healthy type of bacteria. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that probiotics found in yogurt help by keeping the digestive system balanced and reducing the presence of H.pylori when necessary.
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