Can patients with antral gastritis drink coffee?

In general, patients with antral gastritis should not drink coffee. The detailed analysis is as follows:

Coffee is a common beverage made from ground coffee beans and contains nutrients such as caffeine, polyphenolic compounds, carbohydrates, and minerals. It has various effects including enhancing alertness, improving physical performance, protecting cells from free radical damage, and providing energy. Antral gastritis is a chronic inflammation occurring in the antrum of the stomach, and patients may experience symptoms such as nausea, belching, acid reflux, and abdominal pain. The caffeine in coffee may stimulate gastric acid secretion, increasing both the volume and acidity of gastric juice. In patients with antral gastritis, whose gastric mucosa already suffers from inflammation and erosion, additional stimulation by gastric acid may worsen symptoms and discomfort. Moreover, polyphenolic compounds and other chemical substances in coffee may further irritate the gastric mucosa. These irritants could exacerbate inflammation and discomfort, thereby prolonging the recovery time of antral gastritis. Therefore, patients with antral gastritis should avoid drinking coffee.

If diagnosed with antral gastritis, patients can take medications such as sucralfate chewable tablets or bismuth potassium citrate capsules under medical guidance, and should also avoid overeating or binge eating.