How to Treat Peptic Ulcers with Bananas

Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop in the stomach or small intestine, causing significant pain. Some people may not even realize they have an ulcer, while others suffer from common discomforts. Bananas could be an effective natural remedy to alleviate the symptoms of peptic ulcers. In fact, consuming bananas may even help prevent ulcers from developing in the first place.

Eat 3 bananas a day. A healthy diet that includes 3 bananas a day can help prevent inflammation and relieve the pain caused by ulcers. You can eat bananas, make a smoothie, or enjoy them in any way you prefer. Bananas reduce inflammation due to their high levels of potassium, magnesium, manganese, fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and folate. Some studies have also shown that bananas contain enzymes that prevent the growth of ulcer-causing bacteria.

• It's recommended to eat 3 bananas daily as soon as you notice ulcer symptoms. Continue eating 3 bananas a day until the symptoms gradually decrease.

Combine bananas with other healthy foods. Pairing bananas with a healthy lifestyle boosts their ability to prevent inflammation and ulcers. Along with bananas, you can add non-acidic fruits like kiwi, mango, and papaya to your diet. Additionally, try to eat lightly steamed vegetables such as broccoli or carrots. Incorporate more leeks, onions, oats, whole wheat, and whole grains into your meals as well.

• These foods are rich in vitamins and help ulcers heal faster.
• Bananas are high in carbohydrates, so pairing them with healthy fats and proteins will help prevent blood sugar spikes and drops.

Avoid acidic fruits. Citrus fruits like oranges, peaches, berries, and grapefruits are acidic and can increase stomach acid, worsening ulcers by damaging the stomach lining. Instead, focus on eating non-acidic fruits.

Cook vegetables instead of eating them raw. Raw vegetables, especially corn, lentils, squash, and olives, can be acidic and may trigger stomach ulcer inflammation.

Limit alcohol intake to 2 drinks per day. Alcohol can interact with the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria, which causes ulcers. Consuming too much alcohol can worsen stomach inflammation. To reduce alcohol intake, try drinking slowly or inform your friends and family that you will only have 2 drinks per day to reduce ulcer inflammation.

• Never drink alcohol on an empty stomach, as this can aggravate stomach ulcers.

Reduce coffee consumption. Many people believe that coffee can cause ulcers, although medical research has not fully proven this. The acidity in coffee can irritate the stomach. In fact, any caffeinated beverages can stimulate ulcers if you're already suffering from them. Stomach ulcers may improve by cutting back on coffee consumption.

Avoid smoking. Similar to alcohol, smoking can lead to stomach ulcers by interacting with the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria that cause ulcers. Smoking increases the risk of ulcer inflammation. If you're heavily addicted to cigarettes, consider gradually reducing your daily smoking habits.

Consider taking Acetaminophen instead of Aspirin. If you're dealing with a headache or other pain-related conditions, you might want to switch to Acetaminophen. Like alcohol and tobacco, Aspirin can worsen stomach ulcer inflammation, especially in individuals infected with the H. pylori bacteria in the stomach.

• Consult your doctor before switching to a different pain reliever.

Peel, dry, crush, and consume bananas. This method helps enhance the healing effects for peptic ulcers. Dried bananas contain sitoindosides, which promote the production of mucus in the digestive tract, helping to prevent and heal ulcers. Unripe bananas can stimulate the growth of intestinal cells. Finally, dried bananas also contain polysaccharides, which are commonly found in ulcer medications.

Start your natural treatment by peeling unripe bananas. Gently peel the skin off the unripe banana by hand or use a knife to cut off the ends, then peel the rest of the skin away.

Slice the peeled bananas (approximately 3 mm per slice) and dry them. Dry the slices by leaving them on a baking tray for 7 days or by baking them in the oven at 76°C for 5 hours.

Use a mortar and pestle to grind the dried bananas into a fine powder. If you don't have a mortar and pestle, place the dried bananas in a plastic bag and crush them using a rolling pin or any other heavy object.

Mix 2 tablespoons of mashed banana with 1 tablespoon of honey. Drink this mixture three times a day—morning, afternoon, and evening. You can add milk or other beverages to the mixture if desired.

Check if your stomach is prone to ulcers. People who smoke and/or drink alcohol excessively are more likely to develop peptic ulcers. Alcohol reduces the mucus lining and increases stomach acid, while smoking raises the risk of ulcers in those with existing bacteria in the stomach. Spicy foods were once believed to cause ulcers, but this is not the case.

• You may also be more prone to stomach ulcers if you have a family history, frequently take Aspirin, or are over 50 years old.

Recognize the symptoms of peptic ulcers. Mild symptoms of peptic ulcers include stomach pain and burning sensations between meals or at night, bloating, acid reflux, and nausea. In severe cases, you may experience black stools, weight loss, severe pain, or vomiting blood.

Understand medical treatment methods. Peptic ulcers are caused by the H. pylori bacteria in the stomach. If you experience any serious symptoms, you should go to the emergency room immediately. If the symptoms are mild and persistent, visit your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics and/or acid-reducing medications to treat the inflammation and ulceration.