Dealing with gastritis can be challenging, but what you eat and drink plays a crucial role in managing your symptoms. The right dietary choices can help reduce inflammation, ease discomfort, and support healing of your stomach lining.

This guide will help you understand which foods and drinks can help with gastritis and which ones you should avoid. We’ll also cover supplements that may provide relief.

What Is Gastritis?

Gastritis is inflammation of your stomach lining. It can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). Common causes include H. pylori bacteria, certain medications, excessive alcohol use, and stress.

Diet modifications can significantly improve gastritis symptoms. Research shows that dietary intervention combined with medical treatment provides better results than medication alone (1).

Foods and Drinks That Help with Gastritis

Making the right food choices can help reduce inflammation and promote healing of your stomach lining.

Broccoli and Broccoli Sprouts

Broccoli sprouts are particularly beneficial for gastritis, especially if you have H. pylori infection. They’re rich in sulforaphane, a compound that has antibacterial effects against H. pylori.

Studies show that eating 70 grams of broccoli sprouts daily for 8 weeks can reduce H. pylori colonization and improve gastric inflammation (2). Another study found that consuming broccoli sprouts (14-56 grams) twice daily for 7 days may help eradicate H. pylori in some people (3).

Tip
You can add fresh broccoli sprouts to salads, sandwiches, or smoothies. They have a mild, slightly peppery taste.

Fermented Dairy Products

Certain fermented dairy products containing beneficial bacteria can help manage H. pylori-related gastritis.

Fermented milk containing Lactobacillus johnsonii (LC-1) has been shown to reduce H. pylori density and inflammation in the stomach. Three weeks of LC-1 consumption can reduce H. pylori density and inflammation (4). Regular consumption for 16 weeks can improve gastritis symptoms, particularly in the antrum (lower part of the stomach) (5).

Whey-based culture supernatant of Lactobacillus acidophilus La1 can also suppress H. pylori activity. Taking 50 ml four times daily has been shown to reduce H. pylori infection markers (6).

Foods for Atrophic Gastritis Without H. Pylori

If you have atrophic gastritis without H. pylori infection, certain foods may be particularly beneficial:

  • Soybeans and soy products
  • Common wheat products
  • Dates
  • Barley

These foods were identified through research analyzing bacterial metabolites in gastritis patients (7).

Protective Spices: Chili Peppers

Surprisingly, chili peppers may actually protect your stomach lining. Capsaicin, the compound that makes chili hot, has gastroprotective effects.

Research shows that eating 20 grams of chili can protect against aspirin-induced stomach damage (8). This challenges the common belief that spicy foods are always bad for gastritis.

Note
While chili may have protective effects, individual tolerance varies. Start with small amounts to see how your stomach responds.

Foods and Drinks to Avoid with Gastritis

Some foods and beverages can worsen gastritis symptoms and should be limited or avoided.

Coffee

Coffee can irritate your stomach lining, though the effect varies depending on how it’s processed. Research shows that specially treated coffee produces significantly less mucosal irritation than regular coffee (9).

If you don’t want to give up coffee completely, consider:

  • Choosing low-acid coffee varieties
  • Drinking coffee with food rather than on an empty stomach
  • Limiting intake to one cup per day
  • Trying cold brew, which tends to be less acidic

Other Foods to Limit

While research on specific foods is limited, general dietary recommendations for gastritis include avoiding:

  • Alcohol
  • Acidic foods and drinks (citrus fruits, tomatoes)
  • Fried and fatty foods
  • Processed foods high in preservatives
  • Very hot or very cold foods

Beneficial Supplements for Gastritis

Several supplements have shown promise in managing gastritis symptoms and promoting healing.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C may help with gastritis, especially when combined with other treatments. However, its effectiveness varies:

  • Combined with antibiotics and antioxidants, vitamin C can help reduce precancerous gastric lesions (10)
  • A combination of vitamin C (2100 mg calcium ascorbate) with bioflavonoids (340 mg) may help reduce abnormal cell activity in the stomach and promote healing of intestinal metaplasia (11)
  • High doses (5 grams daily) of vitamin C alone don’t eradicate H. pylori (12)
Fact
People with H. pylori infection have significantly lower vitamin C levels in their stomach compared to healthy individuals.

Vitamin E

High-dose vitamin E (400 units daily) may help with precancerous gastric changes. Studies show it can:

  • Reduce abnormal cell activity in the stomach by 53-65%
  • Help reverse small intestinal metaplasia in 71% of patients after 12 months

These benefits were seen in people with atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia (13).

L-Cysteine

For people with atrophic gastritis who drink alcohol, slow-release L-cysteine (200 mg) may provide protection. It works by eliminating acetaldehyde, a harmful substance produced when your stomach processes alcohol (14).

Curcumin (Turmeric)

While curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties, research shows it has limited effectiveness against H. pylori when used alone. It doesn’t significantly reduce H. pylori bacteria or inflammatory markers (15).

Combination Antioxidant Supplements

A fermented papaya preparation (6 grams daily) may be particularly effective for elderly patients with atrophic gastritis. It can help normalize oxidative stress markers and reduce abnormal cell activity better than vitamin E or multivitamins alone (16).

Warning
Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements, especially if you’re taking medications for gastritis.

Special Considerations for H. Pylori-Related Gastritis

If your gastritis is caused by H. pylori infection, dietary strategies can complement medical treatment.

Probiotic-Rich Foods

Fermented milk products containing specific probiotic strains can enhance H. pylori treatment success. When combined with antibiotics, fermented milk with Lactobacillus casei DN-114 001 improved eradication rates from 57.5% to 84.6% in children (17).

Antioxidant Support During Treatment

While antioxidant vitamins don’t reduce oxidative stress in H. pylori gastritis in the short term, they do increase vitamin levels in your body. This may support overall healing when combined with H. pylori eradication therapy (18).

Sample Meal Ideas for Gastritis

Here are some gastritis-friendly meal suggestions incorporating beneficial foods:

Breakfast Options

  • Oatmeal topped with sliced dates and a small amount of soy milk
  • Whole wheat toast with a thin layer of almond butter
  • LC-1 fermented milk or yogurt with non-acidic fruits
  • Barley porridge with honey

Lunch Ideas

  • Steamed broccoli and grilled chicken over brown rice
  • Soybean soup with vegetables and barley
  • Turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread with broccoli sprouts
  • Baked sweet potato with steamed vegetables

Dinner Suggestions

  • Baked fish with steamed broccoli and quinoa
  • Tofu stir-fry with mild vegetables (avoid tomatoes and peppers)
  • Chicken and barley soup
  • Lentil dal with mild spices over rice
Tip
Eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day rather than three large meals. This can help reduce stomach acid production and ease symptoms.

Lifestyle Tips for Managing Gastritis

Along with dietary changes, these lifestyle modifications can help manage gastritis:

  • Eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly
  • Avoid lying down immediately after eating
  • Stay upright for at least 2-3 hours after meals
  • Manage stress through relaxation techniques
  • Avoid smoking, which can worsen gastritis
  • Stay hydrated with water between meals

When to See a Doctor

While dietary changes can help manage gastritis, you should see a healthcare provider if you experience:

  • Severe or persistent stomach pain
  • Vomiting blood or coffee-ground-like material
  • Black, tarry stools
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Symptoms that don’t improve with dietary changes

Conclusion

Managing gastritis through diet involves choosing foods that support healing while avoiding those that irritate your stomach lining. Beneficial foods include broccoli sprouts, fermented dairy products, and certain grains like barley and wheat.

While supplements like vitamins C and E may help, they work best when combined with appropriate medical treatment. If you have H. pylori-related gastritis, probiotic-rich foods can enhance the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy.

Remember that everyone’s tolerance to different foods varies. Keep a food diary to identify your personal triggers and work with your healthcare provider to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that includes both dietary modifications and appropriate medical care.

Was this article helpful?