Frederic Melton
When it comes to tackling H. pylori, diet plays a crucial role. The right foods can help alleviate symptoms and manage the infection, while the wrong choices can exacerbate the problem. So, is cheese good for H. pylori? Well, it depends on the type of cheese. While hard cheeses are best avoided due to their high-fat content, white cheeses are recommended as they are easier to digest and can help reduce stomach inflammation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese | White and low-fat cheese is recommended. Yellow and hard cheese should be avoided as they are rich in fat. |
| Probiotics | Probiotics are good to consume as they stimulate the production of healthy flora that fights the H. pylori bacteria. |
| Fruits | Fresh fruits such as berries, apples, pears, bananas, watermelon, melon, and papaya are recommended. Sour and citrus fruits like lemon, orange, and pineapple should be avoided as they can cause stomach pain and heartburn. |
| Vegetables | Vegetables are important to incorporate into the diet, focusing on non-acidic vegetables such as cruciferous vegetables. Raw vegetables should be washed thoroughly before consumption as H. pylori can be present. |
| Meat | White meat, ground meat, and fish are recommended. Fatty meats and fried foods should be avoided as they are rich in fat and can slow down digestion. |
| Drinks | Drinking plenty of water is recommended. Alcoholic beverages, coffee, black tea, soft drinks, and fizzy drinks should be avoided as they can increase stomach inflammation, cause irritation, or distend the stomach. |
| Spices | Spices such as garlic, mustard, pepper, and turmeric can be beneficial. However, spicy foods can cause an upset stomach, so use them in moderation. |
| Other | Honey has antibacterial properties and can help fight off H. pylori. Yogurt, porridge, and ginger tea are also recommended. |
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What You'll Learn
White cheese is recommended during treatment
Treatment for H. pylori usually involves medication and antibiotics. However, diet plays a crucial role in managing the infection and its symptoms. Eating right can help reduce the bacteria in your stomach and prevent unpleasant symptoms like abdominal pain and discomfort.
White cheese is also recommended as it can help to reduce stomach inflammation and regulate intestinal transit. This is important as antibiotics can cause diarrhoea by reducing intestinal flora. Eating yogurt with white cheese can help to restore intestinal flora and reduce diarrhoea.
It is important to note that hard cheese should be excluded from the diet as it contains a lot of fat. Instead, opt for low-fat cheeses such as cottage cheese, which can be eaten with yogurt, milk, fermented milk, or kefir.
In addition to white cheese, there are several other dietary recommendations to consider during H. pylori treatment. Drinking plenty of water, eating fresh fruits, and consuming high-protein foods such as white meat, fish, eggs, and lean red meat can be beneficial. Probiotics, found in yogurt and kefir, are also recommended as they stimulate the production of good bacteria in the gut, helping to fight the H. pylori bacteria and reduce side effects.
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Hard cheese should be avoided
When treating an H. pylori infection, it is important to eat foods that are easily digestible and that do not irritate the stomach. This is because the infection can cause abdominal pain and discomfort, and eating the wrong foods can worsen these symptoms.
In addition to hard cheese, there are several other foods that should be avoided when treating H. pylori. These include coffee, chocolate, black tea, soft drinks, alcohol, spicy foods, garlic, fatty meats, fried foods, and yellow cheeses. It is also important to avoid foods that contain large amounts of spices and seasonings, as these can irritate the stomach.
Instead of hard cheese, those treating H. pylori should opt for white or low-fat cheeses. These cheeses tend to have a lower fat content, making them easier to digest. Other recommended foods include yogurt, kefir, white meats, fish, eggs, and lean red meats. Fruits and vegetables are also important, especially non-acidic options such as berries, apples, pears, bananas, watermelon, melon, and papaya.
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Cheese may reduce the risk of infection
Diet plays an important role in managing H. pylori infections. Eating right can help decrease the colonisation of the H. pylori bacteria in the stomach and reduce unpleasant symptoms such as abdominal pain and discomfort.
A study based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted in 1999-2000 found that the intake of solid fat and cheese may be associated with a reduced risk of H. pylori infection. The study included 2,952 participants and used a 24-hour dietary recall method to gather information about the types and quantities of food and beverages consumed.
The NHANES study also found that certain dietary patterns, such as a grain-vegetable pattern rich in whole grains and vegetables or a protein/cholesterol pattern characterised by a high intake of animal offal, animal blood, fish, seafood, and poultry, are associated with a reduced prevalence of H. pylori infection. These findings highlight the potential role of specific food groups in preventing and treating H. pylori infections.
While the NHANES study suggests a potential link between cheese intake and reduced risk of H. pylori infection, it is important to note that not all types of cheese are recommended during H. pylori treatment. Hard cheeses, for example, are high in fat and should be excluded from the diet. On the other hand, white cheeses are recommended during treatment as they are easier to digest and help reduce stomach inflammation.
Overall, while cheese may play a role in reducing the risk of H. pylori infection, it is just one part of a larger dietary strategy to manage the condition. Working closely with a healthcare provider and dietitian is essential to develop a personalised plan that includes other recommended foods and avoids potential triggers.
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High-fat foods worsen symptoms
While treating an H. pylori infection, it is important to eat foods that are easily digestible. This is because the human body consumes a large amount of acid and special enzymes to digest fatty foods. When pathological changes caused by H. pylori occur in the stomach, it becomes even more difficult to digest fatty foods. This causes food to remain in the stomach for longer, worsening the symptoms of H. pylori infection.
Foods that are rich in fat include fatty meats, fried foods, and yellow cheeses. These foods can irritate the stomach and increase inflammation. It is recommended to opt for white meats, fish, eggs, white or low-fat cheeses, and lean red meats, as these foods tend to have a lower fat content. This type of protein is easily digestible as it is quickly broken down in the stomach, preventing symptoms like heartburn.
In addition to low-fat foods, it is beneficial to incorporate probiotics into the diet. Probiotics stimulate the production of good bacteria in the gut, which helps to fight the H. pylori bacteria and decrease the side effects of treatment, such as diarrhea and constipation. Yogurt, kefir, and supplements are good sources of probiotics.
It is also important to drink plenty of water, rest, and consume fresh fruits and vegetables to reduce stomach inflammation and regulate intestinal transit. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, found in fish oil, olive oil, carrot seed, and grapefruit seed oil, may help reduce stomach inflammation and prevent the growth of H. pylori.
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Probiotics help to reduce side effects
H. pylori is commonly treated with antibiotics, which can have side effects like nausea, a metallic taste in the mouth, and diarrhoea. This is because antibiotics reduce the naturally-occurring intestinal flora.
Probiotics are living microorganisms that can help to reduce the side effects of antibiotic therapy by restoring the gut microbial environment and keeping the \"good\" gut bacteria healthy. Probiotics are formed by good bacteria that live in the intestine and stimulate the production of flora that fights H. pylori bacteria. Probiotics can be taken as supplements, in powder or capsule form, or in foods such as yoghurt and kefir.
Several studies have shown that certain probiotic strains can reduce the occurrence of side effects due to antibiotic therapy. For example, L. reuteri has a positive influence on gastrointestinal side effects, especially diarrhoea. Other studies have shown that specific probiotics, such as S. boulardii, L. reuteri, and L. GG, decrease gastrointestinal antibiotic-associated adverse effects, especially diarrhoea.
Probiotics can also be used to manage H. pylori infections by inhibiting H. pylori colonisation and reducing the frequency of side effects. Probiotics have been shown to be more effective than the standard triple antibiotic regimen in managing symptoms related to pathogenic bacteria.
In summary, probiotics can help to reduce the side effects of H. pylori treatment by restoring the gut microbiome, reducing gastrointestinal issues, and inhibiting H. pylori colonisation. Probiotics can be taken as supplements or consumed in certain foods, and they are a useful adjunctive therapy to standard H. pylori treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
Some cheeses are good for H. pylori, while others should be avoided. It is recommended to eat white cheeses, as they are low in fat and easy to digest. Yellow cheeses, on the other hand, are rich in fat and can irritate the stomach.
Low-fat cheeses, such as white cheese, are suitable for H. pylori as they are easily digestible and help reduce stomach inflammation.
Cheeses that are high in fat, such as hard cheeses and yellow cheeses, should be avoided when treating H. pylori. These cheeses can irritate the stomach and worsen symptoms.
Yes, yogurt, cottage cheese, and milk are recommended dairy products for H. pylori. Probiotics found in yogurt help reduce the side effects of antibiotics used to treat H. pylori.
