Any drinks for patients with peptic ulcers, as well as food, should not go beyond the limits of the therapeutic diet. The diet may vary depending on the stage of the disease and the nature of gastric secretion. The question of what you can drink if you have a stomach ulcer is resolved in a similar way.
Drinks should not cause irritation of the mucous membrane, provoke an inflammatory process, or have a negative effect on the formation of gastric juice and motor function. In addition, they should be beneficial, helping to heal ulcers and improve digestion. For these reasons, you will have to give up your favorite, but not recommended drinks, and give preference to those that will be beneficial.
What drinks can and cannot be drunk if you have an ulcer?
The diet for ulcers is prescribed within table No. 1, its basic principles are that food should not irritate the stomach, increase its secretion, but have a gentle, enveloping effect on the mucous membrane. And what drinks are suitable - what you can and cannot drink with a stomach ulcer - the principle of their choice is the same. Let's look at the most popular and used among them.
Coffee, tea, cocoa
Coffee is a favorite tonic drink, without which many people cannot imagine life without a morning cup. Despite all its advantages, it is a strong stimulator of hydrochloric acid production, so if you have an ulcer, you should avoid it. An exception can be made when there is a long period of remission; 1 small cup of natural, weak coffee with milk is allowed after breakfast.
Black tea's caffeine content is not inferior to, and sometimes exceeds, its concentration in coffee, so it is not recommended for peptic ulcers. For tea gourmets, an exception is made: only during the period of remission, weak, freshly brewed tea, preferably with milk, no more than 1 cup per day.
Green tea has no contraindications for stomach ulcers; it contains antioxidants that help restore the mucous membrane, as well as bactericidal substances that can inhibit the development of the causative agent of ulcers - Helicobacter. You need to drink only freshly brewed tea, preferably natural leaf tea - not granulated and without additives, not strong, it is better to add a little milk to it.
There is no need to worry about cocoa if you have an ulcer; it not only does not cause harm, but also helps restore the mucous membrane due to the presence of amino acids. The fatty acids it contains have a detrimental effect on Helicobacter. You should not overuse cocoa because of its high calorie content; this can create a big burden on the stomach. You should buy only natural cocoa powder without additives and cook it with milk.
All of the listed drinks cannot be consumed hot, but only warm; the temperature should not exceed 40°C.
Mineral water for stomach ulcers
Mineral water is used not only as a drink, but also as a remedy for ulcers. It should be selected depending on the acidity: for high acidity, Borjomi , Luzhanskaya , Jermuk are suitable, for low acidity - Narzan , Essentuki , Mirgorodskaya .
The general rule for any type of water is to take it without gas and warm. It should be left open in a glass for 30-40 minutes and heated to 38-40°C.
Milk and dairy products
Milk is the No. 1 drink for ulcers with high acidity, patients know this well. It normalizes acid levels, stimulates healing and has a protective effect on the mucous membrane. You just need to limit the amount of whole milk with high fat content so as not to overload your stomach. Goat milk is very healthy, but due to its high fat content, its intake is limited to 1 glass per day, divided into 2-3 doses.
Fermented milk products should not be consumed during an exacerbation, but in remission they will be useful, only fresh and non-acidic, preferably with the addition of beneficial bacteria - biokefir, bioyogurt. Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, which are part of the bioproducts, inhibit the development of Helicobacter in the stomach and help improve peristalsis and digestion.
Allowed and prohibited juices
During an exacerbation of an ulcer, the intake of juices is significantly limited due to the fact that many of them contain acid. Until remission occurs, you should limit yourself to pumpkin, cabbage, potato and viburnum juice. With the onset of remission, the arsenal of juices expands: carrot, tomato, mango, apricot, sour apple, grape, berry. For ulcers, citrus juices - orange, lemon, grapefruit - are not recommended at all.
The general rules for taking juices are in small quantities (up to 100 ml), before meals, heated to 40-45°C and without preservatives, that is, use only natural, freshly prepared juices.
Kissels, compotes: recommended or limited
Kissels in their beneficial properties for ulcers compete with milk; they are allowed both during remission and during exacerbation, as they well envelop and protect the mucous membrane. They must be freshly prepared and in no case powder from the store. You should choose non-acidic fruits and berries, cook them with potato starch and take them warm both before and after meals.
Compotes are useful in any phase of the disease; they are prepared from fresh fruits and non-acidic varieties of berries, as well as from a mixture of dried fruits. Instead of sugar, it is good to add honey at the rate of 1 tablespoon per 0.5 liter of water.
Benefits of green tea
A drink made from non-fermented tea leaves has a beneficial effect on all organs and systems, and also increases the body's resistance to the damaging influence of external factors. It exhibits antioxidant properties, contains vitamins and biologically active substances.
The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory qualities of green tea help destroy bacteria and fungi in the area of ulceration, and the tannins contained in it help restore the damaged mucosal surface. Due to this, without exacerbation of the disease, brewed tea leaves are useful in treating the disease.
However, green tea contains substances that increase stomach acidity and can be harmful in the acute period. The exception is a disease with reduced stomach acidity, in which taking the drink will have a positive effect.
Alcohol for ulcers
The harmful effects of alcoholic beverages on the stomach and health in general are well known. They should not be used if you have a peptic ulcer. However, today a lot is written about the benefits of red wine, and you can even find recommendations for treating ulcers with it. There were even publications by British scientists stating that it kills Helicobacter in 17% of cases.
But if we compare this scanty benefit with the harmful effects of wine on ulcers, then the question of “wine treatment” disappears by itself. Alcohol damages the gastric mucosa and disrupts blood circulation, which provokes an exacerbation. And for influencing bacteria there are much more effective and safe means - antibacterial drugs.
Tea for stomach pain
On the Internet, tea is often described as a universal remedy for combating all diseases known to mankind. These include pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. It is often recommended to drink black or green tea for gastritis, peptic ulcers, enterocolitis, pancreatitis and other pathologies affecting the digestive system.
You can also read on websites dedicated to traditional medicine that tea eliminates abdominal pain. It is not true. If you have stomach pain, drinking tea is not recommended. It is not known what exactly triggered the pain syndrome. It is likely that it will only intensify when drinking tea.
Herbal teas and infusions
Herbal infusions, decoctions, and teas are used not so much to replenish fluid as to treat peptic ulcers. The following have anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects:
- chamomile flowers;
- calendula flowers;
- herb and inflorescences of St. John's wort;
- mint herb;
- lemon balm herb;
- currant leaf;
- raspberry leaf;
- fireweed herb.
The range of healthy herbal teas is very large, among them you can choose the one most suitable for taste and effect, or you can prepare a collection and brew a multi-component healing tea. It is recommended to add linden blossom infusion to it; it has the consistency of liquid jelly and has an enveloping effect.
Ginger tea has become widespread as a means of stimulating metabolic processes and increasing immunity. However, for ulcers it is contraindicated due to its irritating effect on the mucous membrane, like hot pepper, and stimulation of acid production.
Many people like beautiful and refreshing tea with sour hibiscus from the flowers of the hibiscus bush. Despite all the advantages of this purple drink, it is contraindicated for ulcers due to its high citric acid content.
Beneficial properties of monastery tea
Monastic tea for the stomach is used for serious disorders and pre-ulcer conditions. Experts have proven that after a week of daily consumption of the drink, digestion returns to normal, pain goes away, ulcer scarring is eliminated, and the content of gastric hydrochloric acid will be within normal limits.
The composition of the monastery tea for the stomach includes:
- calendula to treat ulcers;
- flaxseed, which envelops;
- rose hips with a high content of vitamin C;
- St. John's wort to eliminate acidity;
- cudweed - helps restore the mucous membrane and normalize the content of hydrochloric acid;
- mint has a calming effect;
- wormwood – against spasms;
- horsetail with a healing effect;
- yarrow tones the body.
What else can you drink if you have a stomach and duodenal ulcer?
Among other drinks, a honey drink is used to speed up the healing of stomach and duodenal ulcers; it is prepared by dissolving 1 tablespoon of honey in a glass of warm water. Take half a glass three times a day in between meals - 2-3 hours before meals and the same time after meals.
A drink with aloe juice has a good anti-inflammatory and restorative effect. The plant must be at least 3 years old. Several large leaves are cut into pieces, frozen, then pour 500 ml of boiling water, wrap for 3-4 hours, filter. Take half a glass an hour before meals. To reduce the bitter taste of aloe, you can add a little honey to it.
An infusion of pomegranate peel is also effective for ulcers: pour 1 tablespoon of dry crushed peels with a glass of boiling water and leave for half an hour. Take 50 ml half an hour before meals 3-4 times a day.
A decoction of flaxseed is recommended as an enveloping and healing agent; it can be steamed at the rate of 1 tablespoon per 1 liter of boiling water; take ¼ cup of fresh decoction half an hour before meals.
Cooking features
In order for the drink to be beneficial and not aggravate the ulcer, you need to brew the tea correctly and drink it, adhering to certain standards:
- The tea should not be strong. To do this, it is enough to brew the leaf for a minute, no more. During this time, he will give away all the necessary and important substances. If you overdo it, the concentration of the drink will greatly increase and the level of caffeine will increase, which will negatively affect the body.
- It is better to drink tea warm. Too high or low temperatures are not advisable for stomach diseases.
- Drink the drink half an hour before or after a meal, but do not wash it down with food. This dramatically reduces the efficiency of digestion.
- Drinking on an empty stomach is prohibited because the acidity of the stomach increases, the esophageal sphincter relaxes, and caffeine has a much stronger effect on an empty stomach.
- Do not take medications with tea. In symbiosis, tannin is formed, which negatively affects absorption. It is recommended to replace with clean water at room temperature.
- The daily norm is no more than three tea drinks.
Before drinking the drink, you should definitely consult your doctor.
Ivan tea helps overcome the disease
Traditional medicine recommends treatment with Ivan tea for stomach ulcers and gastritis. Healers recommend it for diseases of the liver, gall bladder, and hypertension. The ability to remove toxins and water, improve peristalsis, is used in weight normalization courses. The high content of alkaloids alleviates hangovers. Green tea from fireweed restores strength, strengthens sleep, reduces blood pressure, and calms the nervous system. Drivers who are hypotensive or hypotensive should not drink this strong drink before a trip.
The oblong leaves, depending on processing and grinding, have different concentrations of alkaloids and tannins. The fireweed plant - fireweed, has medicinal effects:
- Anti-inflammatory.
- Wound healing.
- Enveloping.
- Antioxidant.
It is recommended to make infusions and decoctions. Consume them before meals. The effect of fireweed is equal in strength to medical drugs. It can only be used for treatment under medical supervision. It has been noticed that the composition of tea is different, depending on the region where the raw materials were collected. The difference for each component varies within a few percent.
Beneficial properties of Ivan tea for stomach ulcers
Green tea is best made from crushed leaves that have undergone fermentation. When preparing it yourself, you need to lightly dry the leaves in the shade, then grind them using a meat grinder and put them in a ceramic bowl, cover it with a lid, but not airtight. The fermentation process is accompanied by the release of gases. Which fireweed tea leaf is best to use for stomach ulcers, fresh or dry. Tannin and tannin contents are lower with whole green leaves. It is enough to pour boiling water over 5 leaves per cup. Drink no more than 3 times a day.
In addition to the healing and enveloping effect on the stomach, pain is relieved, the liver is cleansed, and toxins and waste are removed from the body. An overdose of fireweed tea can cause a hangover, severe low blood pressure, severe pain, and dehydration. It is necessary to observe moderation, take breaks, and not turn the medicine into poison through excessive use.
Tips and tricks
Gastritis is an unpleasant sore that causes many problems. However, you can keep it “at a distance” if you follow simple recommendations:
- Rational nutrition is the basis for disease prevention. Food must be balanced in composition. Try to have breakfast, lunch and dinner at the same hours with equal time intervals between meals. Avoid eating fast food and processed foods.
- You should not overeat , eat dry food or hastily swallow food while running.
- Maintain food hygiene : wash vegetables and fruits before eating, boil or fry meat and fish well. All products must be fresh and the utensils used for preparing them must be clean.
- Keep an eye on your teeth. Advanced caries is one of the possible causes of gastritis.
- Give up bad habits or at least reduce your consumption of alcohol and cigarettes to a minimum.
- Some seemingly harmless medications (like aspirin) can cause severe irritation of the stomach walls . If you experience discomfort after taking medications, you should consult your doctor and perhaps find a replacement.
- Strong nervous experiences can provoke an exacerbation of the disease. Try to avoid stressful situations, not get involved in conflicts, and treat even the most unpleasant situation with a healthy dose of irony.
On our website: What to do if you really want sweets with gastritis?
And finally, we recommend watching a video on how to brew green tea correctly.
Peptic ulcer
A gastric ulcer is a disease of a chronic nature, with the typical formation of ulcerative scars on the surface of the stomach. Periods of relapse (mainly spring-autumn) alternate with periods of remission.
Over the last decade, the main method of treating the disease has been the eradication of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which plays an important role in the development of the disease. The patient's well-being may improve if treated with antacid medications. But most people fight ulcers using antisecretory drugs.
Well, you have gone through all the circles of hell: FGS (or FDGS), tests, samples, x-rays, ultrasound, etc. You have been diagnosed with a stomach ulcer. The gastroenterologist gave you a prescription for medications and sent you home for treatment. You can, of course, go to the nearest pharmacy and buy everything that the doctor prescribed, but there is another option: turn to traditional medicine.