What foods should be avoided for gastric ulcers?
Jul 14, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
Gastric ulcer patients should generally avoid spicy and irritating foods, excessively cold or hot foods, fried and greasy foods, alcoholic beverages, as well as excessive consumption of strong tea or coffee. Spicy foods such as chili peppers, ginger, and garlic can directly irritate the gastric mucosa, worsen ulcer damage, and may also stimulate increased gastric acid secretion, leading to delayed ulcer healing and potentially causing pain or bleeding.
Foods to avoid with gastric ulcers generally include spicy and irritating foods, excessively cold or hot foods, fried and greasy foods, alcoholic beverages, and excessive amounts of strong tea or coffee. If in doubt, it is recommended to seek medical advice in advance. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Spicy and irritating foods: Spicy foods such as chili peppers, ginger, and garlic can directly irritate the gastric mucosa, aggravate ulcer damage, and may also stimulate increased gastric acid secretion, leading to delayed ulcer healing and potentially causing pain or bleeding.
2. Excessively cold or hot foods: Very cold foods can cause vasoconstriction of the gastric mucosa, affecting local blood circulation; overly hot foods may scald the gastric mucosa. Both can damage the protective barrier of the gastric mucosa, which is unfavorable for ulcer healing, and should therefore be avoided.
3. Fried and greasy foods: Fried and greasy foods such as fried chicken and fatty meats are difficult to digest, prolonging their retention time in the stomach, which can stimulate increased gastric acid secretion, burden the stomach, worsen ulcer symptoms, and delay the healing process.
4. Alcoholic beverages: Alcohol directly erodes the gastric mucosa, damaging the integrity of the mucosal tissue while also stimulating gastric acid secretion, exacerbating the inflammatory response at the ulcer site. In severe cases, it may lead to ulcer bleeding or perforation, and must be strictly prohibited.
5. Excessive consumption of strong tea or coffee: Components such as caffeine contained in strong tea and coffee can stimulate gastric acid secretion, continuously irritating the gastric mucosa, interfering with ulcer healing. Excessive consumption may also cause gastrointestinal discomfort or pain.
Patients with gastric ulcers must strictly adhere to the above dietary restrictions, maintain regular eating habits, choose bland and easily digestible foods, and eat at regular times and in moderate amounts. If persistent symptoms such as stomach pain or black stools occur, timely medical evaluation should be sought to prevent worsening of the condition.
