Eating foods that contain certain compounds may help your body fight the bacteria responsible for stomach ulcers. These compounds include flavonoids, probiotics, and polyphenols.

Gastric ulcers, also called stomach ulcers, are open sores within the lining of the stomach. They are a type of peptic ulcer, meaning they have to do with acid. Because of the amount of acid present in the stomach and the damage that can occur, they are often extremely painful.

The most common cause of stomach ulcers is the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori. You can also get them from overusing pain medications like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn).

In addition to medication, research has shown that some natural home remedies may also help you manage a stomach ulcer. But be sure to speak with your doctor about adding any foods to your diet.

Research from 2020 suggests that flavonoids may help heal stomach ulcers, due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Flavonoids are compounds that occur naturally in many fruits and vegetables. Foods and drinks rich in flavonoids include :

  • soybeans
  • legumes
  • red grapes
  • kale
  • broccoli
  • apples
  • berries
  • teas, especially green tea

Flavonoids are referred to using the term “gastroprotective,” which means they defend the lining of the stomach and could allow ulcers to heal. You can get flavonoids in your diet or take them as supplements.

Because high amounts of flavonoids may interfere with blood clotting, though, it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor before adding high amounts of them to your diet.

While you probably associate aloe vera with relief from sunburn, it can also be a useful treatment for peptic ulcers.

A small study from 2016 suggests that taking aloe vera contributed to more and faster wound healing in people with ulcers. The study authors noted that one of the key benefits was its price point. Because it’s inexpensive and easy to find, it may be a very accessible option.

Try taking a small amount of aloe vera gel, ideally fresh from the leaf of an aloe vera plant. Mix the gel with water or milk to form an emulsion. You can also try aloe vera juice if you prefer the taste and consistency.

Don’t let that long first word give you a stomachache. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice is just plain old licorice with its sweet flavor removed.

While research is limited , some people use it as an alternative remedy for ulcers.

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice is available as a supplement. It’s important to note that you won’t get the potential benefits from eating licorice alone.

Studies have shown that probiotics may help improve recovery for people with peptic ulcers.

Probiotics are the living bacteria and yeast that provide healthy and important microorganisms to your digestive tract. They’re usually present in fermented foods and drinks like:

  • kombucha
  • yogurt
  • miso
  • kimchi
  • kefir

You can also take probiotics in supplement form.

Depending on the plant it’s derived from, honey can contain up to 200 elements, including polyphenols and other antioxidants. Honey is a powerful antibacterial and has been shown to inhibit H. pylori growth.

As long as you have blood sugar levels in a normal range, you can enjoy honey as you would any sweetener. Try adding it to tea, oatmeal, or yogurt.

Cranberry has been shown to help decrease urinary tract infections by preventing bacteria from settling on the walls of the bladder. Cranberry and cranberry extract also may help fight H. pylori.

You can drink cranberry juice, eat cranberries, or take cranberry supplements.

Many commercial cranberry juices are heavily sweetened with sugar or high fructose corn syrup, which can add empty calories. Avoid those juices by buying unsweetened versions or juice sweetened only by other juices.

A diet centered on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may help you heal peptic ulcers.

Foods containing the antioxidant polyphenols may protect you from ulcers and help ulcers heal. Research from 2020 has shown that polyphenols are promising in their ability to potentially heal ulcers.

Some foods rich in polyphenols include:

  • dried rosemary
  • flaxseed
  • dark chocolate
  • berries
  • black olives

In some people, certain foods can affect the lower part of the esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), allowing acid and stomach contents to back up into the esophagus. This can cause injury to the esophagus, as well as heartburn, indigestion, and other discomfort.

To reduce acid reflux pain, you may want to limit:

  • coffee and other caffeinated beverages
  • carbonated beverages
  • alcohol
  • chocolate
  • chilies and hot peppers
  • processed foods
  • foods with a high amount of salt
  • deep-fried foods
  • acidic foods like citrus and tomatoes

Not every food acts the same for every person, so keeping track of which foods seem to make acid reflux symptoms worse can be helpful.

It can take some time, teamwork, and determination to find the right treatment for your ulcers, but keep in mind that ulcers can be cured.

In addition to a treatment plan agreed upon by you and your doctor, you can try natural approaches by eating healthful foods that may give you some relief and speed up healing.

It’s a good idea to speak with your doctor before making significant changes to your diet or starting any new supplements.