Peptic Ulcer Diet

People with ulcers have been reported to eat more sugar than people without ulcers, though this link may only occur in those with a genetic susceptibility toward ulcer formation. Sugar has also been reported to increase stomach acidity, which could aggravate ulcer symptoms.

Salt is a stomach and intestinal irritant. Higher intakes of salt have been linked to higher risk of stomach (though not duodenal) ulcer. As a result of these reports, some doctors suggest that people with ulcers should restrict the use of both sugar andsalt, although the benefit of such dietary changes remains unknown.

Many years ago, researchers reported that cabbage juice accelerated healing of peptic ulcers. Drinking a quart of cabbage juice per day was necessary for symptom relief in some reports. Although only preliminary modern research supports this approach, many doctors claim considerable success using one quart per day for 10 to 14 days, with ulcer symptoms frequently decreasing in only a few days. Carrot juice may be added to improve the flavor.

Fiber slows the movement of food and acidic fluid from the stomach to the intestines, which should help those with duodenal, though not stomach, ulcers. When people with recently healed duodenal ulcers were put on a long-term (six-month), high-fiber diet, the rate of ulcer recurrence was dramatically reduced in one controlled study, though short-term (four-week) use of fiber in people with active duodenal ulcers led to only negligible improvement...