Stomach ulcer treatment: An apple a day may keep the doctor away
This Morning: Dr Chris reveals health benefits of apples
Pain caused by a stomach ulcer can radiate from the middle of the stomach up to the neck, down the belly button and through the back. Deeply unpleasant, is there a way you can prevent this condition from developing? Research conducted by the Department of Pharmacology at Hamdard University, India, looked into the common gastrointestinal disorder. Their academic literature review identified the beneficial effects of ingesting polyphenols – found in apples.
It was noted polyphenols have a role “in the prevention of peptic [i.e. stomach] ulcers”.
“Polyphenols display a number of pharmacological properties in the gastrointestinal tract area,” explained the lead author of the study.
For example, they act as “anti-secretory, cyto-protective, and antioxidant agents”.
Polyphenols have “anti-ulcerogenic activity with a good level of gastric protection”.
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This basically means polyphenols help to protect the stomach from developing ulcers.
In addition, “these phenolic compounds can be an alternative for the treatment of gastric ulcers”.
Although one of the main medicinal treatments for stomach ulcers is proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), they can have side effects.
“In recent years, abundant work has been carried out on herbal medicine to clarify their potential efficacy in peptic ulcer prevention or management,” explained the researchers.
And to date, the consumption of polyphenols and its anti-ulcer properties has been “extensively confirmed”.
They protect the stomach by calming free radicals, increase stomach mucus production and stop the growth of Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) bacteria.
The NHS elaborated to say that H.pylori bacteria live in the stomach lining, and can irritate it so.
Those vulnerable to H.pylori bacteria are more at risk of stomach acid damaging their insides.
The Institute of Nutrition at University of Jena, in Germany, said: “Apples are one of the most important fruit sources of dietary polyphenolic compounds in the Western diet.”
There are five major groups of polyphenolic compounds found in apples:
- Flavanols
- Phenolic acids
- Dihydrochalcones
- Flavonols
- Anthocyanins
Foods rich in polyphenols include fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds.
Specifically, as pointed out by MedicineNet, powerful polyphenols are found in:
- Apples
- Apricoys
- Seeded, purple grapes
- Pears
- Pomegranates
- Cherries
- Strawberries
- Plums
Vegetables rich in polyphenols include: broccoli, carrots, asparagus, lettuce, spinach and shallots.
In terms of legumes, the following are rich in polyphenols:
- Black beans
- Tofu
- Soybean
- White beans
The nuts and seeds that may help to prevent and treat stomach ulcers include: almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, sesame and flax seeds.
Grains, such as oats and rye, as well as herbs and spices are also good sources of polyphenols.
Examples include cinnamon, cumin, basil, parsley, rosemary, turmeric and thyme.
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