There are drinks that may help soothe stomach ulcers, such as cabbage juice or honey water. While people may wish to avoid other drinks, such as alcohol and coffee.

Stomach ulcers are sores that form on the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine, known as the duodenum. Stomach ulcers may also be called:

  • peptic ulcers
  • duodenal ulcers
  • peptic ulcer disease

People are likely to develop stomach ulcers after Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterial infection or after taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

This article will explore drinks that may help soothe ulcers, what drinks to avoid when experiencing stomach ulcers, and other treatment options available.

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Some drinks may help to ease symptoms of stomach ulcers.

Cabbage juice

Green cabbage is abundant in many nutrients, such as vitamins C and E, calcium, and certain proteins. As a result, people have historically used cabbage as a home remedy for various conditions, including gastrointestinal disorders such as ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome.

Cabbage may also have an antioxidant effect on the body, protecting it against oxidative stress, and may help with ulcers due to an H. pylori infection.

Learn more about cabbage juice for stomach ulcers.

Kombucha

Kombucha is a drink obtained by fermenting sweetened tea with probiotic microorganisms, specifically symbiotic cultures of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). A longer fermentation time allows for an increase in the presence of bioactive compounds such as:

  • vitamins B and C
  • flavonoids
  • minerals such as iron, manganese, zinc, copper, and nickel

Kombucha presents many health benefits, including:

  • anti-inflammatory effects
  • antioxidant effects
  • antibacterial effects

Learn more about kombucha.

Honey water

Honey has protective effects against gastric mucosal injury and anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, the presence of flavonoids in honey may help prevent ulcer formation. Flavonoids help prevent peptic ulcer formation due to their anti-acid secretion effects.

A 2018 systematic review investigating the effect of honey on gastric ulcers noted its antioxidant and cytoprotective effects. However, the review also notes that most of the studies used different types of honey, and the dosage of honey was tested on rats, so more studies are needed on humans.

Learn more about honey.

Turmeric tea

Curcumin is a phenolic compound and is an active ingredient in turmeric. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory effects and may help treat gastrointestinal disorders such as:

  • passing wind
  • diarrhea
  • reflux esophagitis
  • Barrett’s esophagus
  • esophageal carcinoma

A 2019 review notes that curcumin can help with the oxidative stress associated with H. pylori infections.

Learn more about turmeric.

Some drinks may aggravate a stomach ulcer. Individuals may wish to consider avoiding these drinks.

Alcohol

Studies have shown that alcohol may induce gastric ulcers, and continuous consumption of alcohol may elongate ulcer healing time.

Alcohol can also irritate the gastric mucosa, a layer of mucous membrane in the stomach, and can increase the level of acidity.

Coffee and caffeinated drinks

Caffeine, which is present in coffee and other drinks such as some teas and soft drinks, stimulates the gastric secretion of components such as gastrin and hydrochloric acid, which may aggravate stomach ulcers.

While certain drinks may help soothe stomach ulcers, other treatments, such as medications, may help to manage them more effectively.

Medical treatments

A doctor may recommend medical treatment for stomach ulcers if a person is experiencing troublesome symptoms. Medications that a doctor may prescribe include:

  • Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): PPIs decrease acid secretion in the stomach. Examples of PPIs include omeprazole and lansoprazole.
  • H2 blockers: H2 receptor blockers also decrease acid secretion in the stomach by reversibly binding to the histamine H2 receptors in the stomach parietal, or acid-secreting, cells. Examples of H2 blockers include famotidine and cimetidine.

Home remedies

A person’s stomach ulcer symptoms may improve through the use of home remedies. In addition to the drinks listed above, a person may also find that probiotics help with ulcer symptoms.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits for gastrointestinal issues. Some are available over the counter.

Individuals should speak with a healthcare professional before trying any home remedies for stomach ulcers.

The following are some questions people frequently ask about stomach ulcers.

How do you calm an ulcer quickly?

A person may find relief through the use of over-the-counter anti-acid medication such as famotidine.

Is milk good for a stomach ulcer?

Milk may temporarily offer relief from stomach ulcers as it coats the stomach. However, it causes an increase in the production of stomach acid, which may actually irritate stomach ulcers.

What is the best thing to drink for an ulcer?

A person may benefit from drinking drinks that contain antioxidants which may help combat H. pylori infections, such as cranberry juice. A person may also benefit from drinking drinks that contain probiotics, such as kombucha.

Stomach ulcers are sores that form on the lining of the stomach or duodenum. They can be caused by a bacterial infection or by taking NSAIDs.

There are a number of drinks that may help soothe stomach ulcers, including green cabbage juice, kombucha, honey water, and turmeric tea. These drinks all have anti-inflammatory or antioxidant properties that can help protect the stomach lining.

Some drinks individuals may want to avoid when experiencing stomach ulcers include alcohol and coffee. These drinks can irritate the stomach lining and increase acid production.

In addition to lifestyle changes, medical treatments are available for stomach ulcers. These treatments include PPIs and H2 blockers, which reduce acid production in the stomach.

Home remedies such as probiotics may also help to improve stomach ulcer symptoms.

If a person is experiencing stomach ulcers, it is important to see a doctor to discuss treatment options.