What Drink or Food Is Good for Ulcers?

There are certain drinks and foods that can aid in the healing of a peptic ulcer and others that can make it worse.

Plain water is generally the best thing to drink if you have an ulcer, while bland foods, probiotic foods, high-fiber foods, and certain fruits and vegetables are beneficial. On the flip side, caffeine, alcohol, and milk should be avoided alongside spicy, acidic, fatty, fried, or processed foods.

This article explains the causes, symptoms, and complications of a peptic ulcer. It also offers a list of foods and beverages that are good and bad for you if diagnosed with a stomach ulcer.

What Are Peptic Ulcers?

A peptic ulcer is an open sore in the lining of either the stomach or the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). In the strictest terms, an ulcer in the stomach is called a gastric ulcer, and an ulcer in the duodenum is called a duodenal ulcer. Together, the two conditions are referred to as peptic ulcer disease.

Peptic ulcers affect around four million people in the United States each year. They develop when the lining of the stomach or duodenum is broken down by excessive acid and/or there is a lack of mucus protecting the lining of the stomach or duodenum.

There are many possible causes of this.

Common Causes

People used to think ulcers were caused by stress. But as it turns out, stress doesn't seem to be all that much of a factor.

The most frequent causes of ulcers include:

• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori): This is an infectious bacteria that eats away at the protective lining of the stomach.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These over-the-counter and prescription painkillers can cause ulcers when overused. They include aspirin, Aleve (naproxen), Advil (ibuprofen), and Celebrex (celecoxib).
• Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: This is a rare condition in which tumors in the pancreas or upper gastrointestinal tract trigger the overproduction of stomach acid.

While foods don't "cause" ulcers, they can sometimes aggravate an ulcer and make it worse.

What Are Symptoms of a Peptic Ulcer?

The primary symptom of a peptic ulcer is pain, often described as a gnawing or burning pain in the middle or upper stomach. The pain tends to be worst at night and early in the morning when the stomach is empty.

Other ulcer symptoms include:

• Bloating and gas
• Heartburn
• Nausea

If an ulcer is severe and causes bleeding, other symptoms can develop, including:

• Black or tarry stool (caused by the oxidization of blood in the intestines)
• Severe stabbing abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Weight loss

What to Drink for Ulcers

Invariably, the best thing to drink if you have an ulcer is water. You don't need alkaline water or any other special water. The main goals are to keep well-hydrated to promote healing and to help ease stomach pain. Water helps by diluting stomach acids.

Some people regard certain types of beverages as useful in healing ulcers or reducing pain. These include:

• Chamomile tea
• Cranberry juice
• Decaffeinated green tea
• Honey water
• Kefir
• Kombucha
• Turmeric tea
  

Should You Drink Milk for Ulcers?

For generations, people with peptic ulcers were told that milk could soothe the stomach and even aid with the healing of an ulcer. What scientists have since learned is that milk stimulates the stomach to produce even more acid.

So while it may seem that the cooling effects of milk are beneficial, it can actually aggravate ulcers and make them worse. Lactose-free or soy milk may be good substitutes that don't irritate the ulcer.

Other Beverages to Avoid

As a general guideline, avoid beverages that are caffeinated, acidic, sweetened, or alcoholic if you have a peptic ulcer.

Beverages to avoid include:

• Beer
• Black tea
• Carbonated drinks
• Coffee (including decaffeinated coffee)
• Colas
• Colas
• Green tea
• Hot cocoa
• Energy drinks
  
• Orange juice and other citrus juices
• Spirits
• Sweetened punches
• Tomato juice
  
• Wine
  

What to Eat for Ulcers

As a general rule, a bland diet should be eaten as you recover from an ulcer. Probiotic bacteria from fermented foods can also aid with the healing as can high-fiber foods that can absorb excess stomach acid.

Foods that can help heal a peptic ulcer include:

• Apples
• Bananas
• Beans and legumes
• Bell peppers
• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Brocolli
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Cherries
• Fish
• Honey
• Leafy greens
• Miso
• Oatmeal
• Raspberries
• Sauerkraut
• Skinless poultry
• Strawberries
• Whole grains like barley, quinoa, and brown rice
• Whole-grain pasta and bread
• Yogurt (low-fat, unsweetened)

Foods to Avoid

Foods that are fatty, fried, processed, sugary, spicy, or acidic should be avoided if you have a peptic ulcer. These can not only irritate the open sore but can also trigger inflammation that disrupts the normal production of stomach mucus.

Foods to avoid with a peptic ulcer include:

• Baked goods, like cupcakes and pastries
• Cheese
• Cream soups
  
• Citrus fruits
• Chocolate
• Fast foods, including pizza
  
• Fried foods, including french fries, fried chicken, doughnuts, and chips
• Gravy, sauces, salsas, and salad dressings
• Ice cream, custards, and puddings
• Pineapple
• Processed meats, like hotdogs, bacon sausages, and salami
• Red meats
• Spicy foods, including chili sauce
  
• Tomatoes, tomato sauces, and tomato soups

Recovery From a Peptic Ulcer

Peptic ulcers take several weeks to heal with treatment. Your doctor will likely prescribe medications to help them heal, including antibiotics to treat H. pylori infection and histamine-2 (H2) blockers or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to reduce acid production.

Peptic Ulcer Complications

If left untreated, a peptic ulcer can lead to potentially severe complications, some of which can be life-threatening. These include:

• Gastrointestinal bleeding: The bleeding can be gradual or severe and lead to anemia (the lack of oxygen-carrying red blood cells) or a severe hemorrhage.
• Gastric outlet obstruction. This is the blockage of the passageway from the stomach to the small intestine.
• Gastric perforation: This occurs when the ulcer forms a hole all the way through the wall of the stomach.
  

Summary

Plain water is the best thing you can drink if you have a peptic ulcer. Bland foods, probiotic foods, high-fiber foods, and certain fruits and vegetables can also relieve symptoms and aid with healing.

On the other hand, you should not drink caffeine, alcohol, caffeinated beverages, and milk with a peptic ulcer. You would also need to avoid spicy, acidic, fatty, fried, or processed foods as you heal.