Can hawthorn water improve chronic gastritis?
Generally, hawthorn water has limited effects on improving chronic gastritis and may even worsen discomfort; therefore, it should be consumed with caution. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Hawthorn contains significant amounts of fruit acid and hawthorn acid, which can stimulate gastric acid secretion. These components may aid digestion for mild stomach discomfort caused by insufficient gastric acid secretion. However, chronic gastritis often involves gastric mucosal damage or abnormal gastric acid secretion. Excessive gastric acid can irritate the damaged mucosa, worsening symptoms such as stomach pain, acid reflux, and heartburn.
If chronic gastritis is in the active stage, with gastric mucosal congestion, edema, or erosion, drinking hawthorn water may increase gastric acid secretion, thereby aggravating mucosal damage and hindering the recovery of inflammation. Moreover, the sour and astringent taste of hawthorn might directly irritate the gastric mucosa, worsening discomfort symptoms, especially for patients with atrophic gastritis accompanied by intestinal metaplasia, as drinking it blindly offers no benefits.
For daily management of chronic gastritis, a bland and easily digestible diet should be followed. Avoid overly acidic, spicy, or cold foods, and opt for smaller, more frequent meals to reduce the burden on the stomach. Mild ingredients such as millet porridge and pumpkin can help protect the gastric mucosa. Maintaining regular作息 (sleep-wake cycles) and avoiding excessive fatigue are also important.