Can I eat celery with a stomach ulcer?

Sep 03, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

There was celery in today's takeout order, but I have a stomach ulcer. I would like to ask, is it okay for someone with a stomach ulcer to eat celery?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua

Patients with gastric ulcers are not advised to eat celery. Gastric ulcer is a common digestive system disease, primarily characterized by damage to the gastric mucosa resulting in ulcers. Patients need to pay special attention to their diet to avoid irritating the gastric mucosa and worsening the condition.

Celery is a vegetable rich in high nutritional value, containing protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and various minerals, offering multiple health benefits. Celery also contains a large amount of dietary fiber, which can promote gastrointestinal motility and stimulate gastric acid secretion. For individuals with gastric ulcers, excessive gastric acid secretion may exacerbate the condition, as the fiber content in celery might irritate the ulcerated areas of the stomach, hindering ulcer healing. Additionally, celery is fibrous and hard to digest; if not adequately chewed, its consumption may cause excessive secretion of gastric juice, irritating the ulcer site and leading to gastrointestinal discomfort.

Therefore, individuals suffering from gastric ulcers are advised against consuming celery. Instead, they can opt for bland, easily digestible foods such as millet porridge, soft noodles, and steamed egg custard, which aid digestion and absorption, prevent irritation of the ulcerated areas, and help maintain good dietary habits conducive to recovery.