Can people with gastritis drink coffee?

Under normal circumstances, individuals with gastritis should not drink coffee. Coffee contains a relatively high amount of caffeine, which may stimulate gastric acid secretion. Since patients with gastritis already have inflammatory lesions in the gastric mucosa, consuming coffee may lead to increased irritation of the gastric mucosa by gastric acid, thereby worsening mucosal damage. Long-term coffee consumption may trigger gastric ulcers and hinder recovery. Patients with gastritis should develop healthy lifestyle habits, avoid strong tea and alcohol, and limit intake of preserved foods such as cured meat and pickled vegetables. Under medical guidance, they may take medications such as hydrotalcite chewable tablets or sucralfate oral suspension to protect the gastric mucosa, alleviate symptoms including epigastric burning pain, bloating, nausea, and loss of appetite, and promote recovery.