here are the do's and don'ts of an Anti-H. Pylori diet.
If you have an H. pylori infection in your stomach, diet matters.
Choosing foods and drinks strategically can help decrease colonization of the bacteria in your stomach and can reduce or help prevent unpleasant symptoms like abdominal pain and discomfort. Eating right is important for everyone who wants to feel good, but it’s even more important when a stomach infection enters the picture.
Here are some dietary choices that may help you restore healthy stomach function and optimize the microbial environment in your gastrointestinal tract. Of course, we also recommend strategizing with your regular health practitioner about how to implement any changes in your diet during an anti-H. pylori program.
Bring on the Berries
Good news! Foods that may help keep H. pylori in check include most of your favorite berries (and a few you may never have heard of). Blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, and bilberry extracts have all exhibited bacteriostatic action towards H. pylori. (2) As long as berries don’t bother your digestion, etc., enjoy them freely as part of your anti-H. pylori plan.
Value Your Veggies
We recommend a whole foods diet brimming with fruits and vegetables for everyone, but those veggies are more valuable than ever when you want to resist an H. pylori infection. They’re packed with anti-oxidants and natural anti-inflammatories, and most are easy to digest. Certain vegetables have powerful anti-H. pylori inhibitory actions. Those include broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, bok choy, and Brussel sprouts—commonly known as cruciferous vegetables. These are rich in sulforaphane, a phytonutrient that can support your body’s defense against H. pylori. Broccoli sprouts in particular have been shown to inhibit H. pylori infections. (1)
Go Probiotic
Any food that helps balance the good bacteria in your digestive tract can help when you’re trying to inhibit an unwanted microbe. Antibiotic drugs can have the negative side effect of killing off the commensal bacteria in your intestines, which can cause bloating, gas, diarrhea, and other side effects. Fermented foods like miso, kimchi, kombucha, pickled vegetables, yogurt, kefir, buttermilk, and some cheeses are naturally rich in probiotics, so they can support healthy digestion and reduce the side effects that may come with following a conventional H. pylori treatment plan. (3)
Drink Differently
Most experts recommend that you avoid coffee if you have stomach issues because it often causes irritation, and alcohol consumption has been associated with a greater risk of H. pylori infection. Carbonated drinks can also cause more stomach distress as the fizziness may create uncomfortable pressure. Many people don’t tolerate drinking cow’s milk, and a stomach infection can increase those negative effects, so even though milk was traditionally used for ulcers, it’s not usually recommended now. On the other hand, green tea has been shown to inhibit H. pylori growth and reduce stomach inflammation in murine studies, (4) and herbal teas can be calming and comforting to your stomach, especially peppermint and ginger.
Have Some Honey
You may have heard that honey has antibacterial properties, and that’s true. Honey has even been found in medieval battlefields for use in wound healing. Research has found that honey can inhibit H. pylori, (5) and honey intake has been associated with a reduced risk of H. pylori infection. (6) Stir some raw honey in your plain yogurt or green tea for a double-edged benefit.
Pick Your Protein Wisely
Eating protein can cause stomach distress in some people with H. pylori infections. Even a protein shake might not be a good idea, despite the fact that the protein is usually easily digested. Instead, you may find that ground meats (ground turkey, ground beef), white fish, and naturally processed hot dogs are kinder to your stomach until the infection is resolved.
Spice it Up
Certain oils that are high in omega-3, omega-6, or monounsaturated fats have been shown to impede the growth of H. pylori. Some oils to move to the top of your list are olive oil, black currant seed oil, fish oil, carrot seed oil, and grapefruit seed oil. (2) When cooking with these oils, keep the temperature low on all of them except grapefruit seed oil. In experiments to see which culinary plants could kill H. pylori, the four winners were turmeric, cumin, ginger, and chili, while the most effective at keeping H. pylori from adhering to stomach lining were turmeric and fresh parsley. (7)
Although these plants can be effective in high doses, for the purposes of an anti-H. pylori eating plan, think of them as boosters. You won’t be using enough of them to end your infection, but if you’re looking for foods that can play a role in your therapeutic regimen, these are worth working into your menus. Of course, spicy foods can cause an upset stomach for some people, so use them only to your tolerance.
And . . . Grab Some Greens to Go
Eating foods in their more natural state requires more shopping and preparation time.
You’ll almost certainly have days when your time or energy run out and a made-from-scratch anti-H. pylori meal just isn’t happening. For those days—and for any day that you want to give your diet a convenient extra dose of fruits and vegetables—there’s NutriDyn Fruits & Greens.
This superfood blend provides you with vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, and other antioxidants exclusively from nutrient-packed whole food concentrates. It contains many of the foods mentioned above—like curcumin, kale, raspberries, probiotics, and green tea—plus dozens of other healthful ingredients. By excluding key allergens, preservatives, added sugars, and stimulants, it’s formulated to be easy on your system. Choose your favorite flavor among eight tasty options. Buy a container and stock up on handy TO GO packets as well. It’s a smart addition to your diet while you’re resolving an H. pylori infection—and after.
other anti-h. pylori dietary shortcuts . . .
It’s hard to get all the nutrients you need in a day, much less choose the best ways to create the diet you need for your anti-H. Pylori strategy. The supplements below are NOT replacements for the dietary recommendations above. However they may go a long way towards speeding up your results and maximizing the effectiveness of your strategy. And in some cases, it’s very hard to consume the amounts you need from dietary sources alone. We want you to get the best results possible – so check out these formulas that we trust to support your program at every step of the way . . . and beyond!
Sources
1. Fahey JW, Haristoy X, Dolan PM, et al. Sulforaphane inhibits extracellular, intracellular, and antibiotic-resistant strains of Helicobacter pylori and prevents benzo[a]pyrene-induced stomach tumors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002;99(11):7610-7615. doi:10.1073/pnas.112203099
2. Hołubiuk Ł, Imiela J. Diet and Helicobacter pylori infection. Prz Gastroenterol. 2016;11(3):150-154. doi:10.5114/pg.2016.61487
3. Homan M, Orel R. Are probiotics useful in Helicobacter pylori eradication? World J Gastroenterol. Oct 7, 2015; 21(37): 10644-10653. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i37.10644
4. Stoicov C, Saffari R, Houghton J. Green tea inhibits Helicobacter growth in vivo and in vitro. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2009;33(5):473-478. doi:10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2008.10.032
5. Nzeako BC, Al-Namaani F. The antibacterial activity of honey on helicobacter pylori. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2006;6(2):71-76.
6. Boyanova L, Iliewa J, Gergova, et al. Honey and green/black tea consumption may reduce the risk of Helicobacter pylori infection. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2015;82:85–6.
7. O’Mahony R, Al-Khtheeri H, Weerasekera D, et al. Bactericidal and anti-adhesive properties of culinary and medicinal plants against Helicobacter pylori. World J Gastroenterol. 2005;11(47):7499-7507. doi:10.3748/wjg.v11.i47.7499