You might have noticed that eating a lot, at a single stretch, makes you feel really uncomfortable. This is because your digestive system cannot handle that much work. This applies to high-fat foods as well, which might cause the stomach lining to inflame. Studies have even shown that eating fatty foods for as little as 3–4 months can result in gastritis!
However, there are particular fats, such as monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats (omega-3 fatty acids), that might heal your guts. Food products that contain these fats include peanut butter, seeds, nuts, and olive oil.
Most mornings, all you need is a strong cup of coffee to get going. But drinking coffee on an empty stomach, especially late in the day, can actually trigger gastritis. Any caffeine-containing drinks can worsen an already present gastritis issue, (even decaf coffee). This also includes carbonated drinks, which can induce gastritis.
If you have no gastrointestinal issues, reduce the number of cups of coffees you down. Go for green tea instead. Studies show that the tea might lower the risk of gastritis as it is anti-inflammatory and has less caffeine.
4. Alcohol
Excessive alcohol consumption is the most common cause of gastritis.5 Alcohol contains certain toxins that can irritate your stomach lining and cause inflammation when you drink in excess and constantly. And if the stomach is already inflamed, drinking alcohol will cause it to bleed and lead to more severe conditions like stomach ulcers.
Moderation is the key because, as per studies, limited drinking might even prevent gastritis by fighting the H. pylori bacteria.
5. Refined, Processed, And Fried Foods
Refined foods such as white bread and pasta, those that contain sugar, and processed foods with artificial flavorings are potential irritants that can trigger gastritis. Frequent consumption of processed junk foods with red meat can increase the severity enough to cause gastric cancer.8 So, no matter how tempting the food is, eat healthily and at home as much as possible.
6. Dairy Products
High-fat dairy products, such as milk cream, trigger gastric juice secretion, worsening your gastric condition. Some even believe that regular milk, with calcium and proteins, can cause increased acid production. However, it all depends on how your body works.
Try the dairy products in small quantities and see how it works out for you; retain them in your diet if they don’t affect you. Dairy foods such as fermented yogurt (probiotics) can soothe stomach irritation and reduce any gastrointestinal issues.
7. Smoking
Smoking is one of the main lifestyle habits that might worsen gastritis. It is a major risk factor in the development of various stomach-related issues. While studies haven’t yet found a direct relation to gastritis, smoking might slow down the healing of gastric mucosa and lead to stomach ulcers.
8. Foods You Are Allergic To
If you’ve always had a gastritis issue, certain vegetables might cause irritation and make things worse. Most people complain of a burning pain in the stomach after eating onion, garlic, tomatoes, and potatoes. Observe what veggies you’re allergic to and decide on your diet.
