Does Beans cause Ulcer?
This is a recurrent question I see from people. It is also another belief held strongly by many, that eating beans causes ulcer. By the end of this article the answer will be clear if beans causes ulcer.
What is an ulcer?
Ulcer is a break or crack or wound or injury in epithelial lining of an organ.
Yes, I know when we say ulcer, everybody assumes we are talking about the ulcer that occurs in the stomach, called gastric ulcer. Generally ulcers involving the stomach and the duodenum (part of small intestine) are regarded as peptic ulcer. That’s what we all know as ulcer . But that’s not the meaning by strict definition.
But ulcer is not just a stomach thing. It can occur anywhere in the body that has an epithelium. When there is a break in the continuity of the epithelium, then ulcer occurs.
However, from now on in this article , when we say ulcer, we are talking about the peptic ulcer, not being strict with the definition.
And you may ask, what is an epithelium?
What is an epithelium?
Look at your skin. What are you seeing? That’s an epithelium. Epithelium lines or covers the surfaces of organs. In the stomach to be precise, there is an epithelium lining the cavity. I hope this gives you an idea of what we are talking about. So when there is a break or injury that affects the continuity of the epithelium, that’s an ulcer.
Does beans cause ulcer
No, beans does not cause ulcer. As a matter of fact, there is no known single factor that causes ulcer. So many things come together to play a role before ulcer can result.
Hunger or fasting – When there is no food in your stomach for a long time. The stomach acid can attack the lining of your stomach and cause ulcer.
Alcohol – Alcohol has been implicated too as a precipitant for ulcer.
Helicobacter pylori – This is a microorganism that has a predilection for the stomach. It has been implicated in so many ulcer patients.
Some pain relieving drugs – like ibuprofen, diclofenac, piroxicam, aspirin etc. They have been implicated in ulcer.
What role does beans play in ulcer
The thing is this. Having heart burn is not equivalent to having ulcer. Or having beans allergy, it doesn’t mean you have ulcer. Many people do confuse these.
However, some people have Complained of having their ulcer worsened when they eat beans. Some also say when they eat fried things like, akara, doughnuts, egg role, etc. Pepper and other peppery foods also have been noticed to exercarbate ulcer.
What is the treatment for ulcer?
In all honesty. Most ulcer drugs can be found over the counter. But I do not encourage people to self medicate. So many other serious Diseases like gastric cancer, heart diseases , duodenal and pancreatic diseases will also present like ulcer.
So what do we profit treating ulcer blindly, when we are not sure. That’s why I strongly advise people to always visit their doctor, and be sure what they have is ulcer before getting treatment, else you will be treating the wrong thing and wasting your money, time and health.
Home remedy to ulcer
1. Eat very light and frequently. Like instead of finishing one wrap of swallow once by 7am, split it and eat it three times, by 9am, 11am and 12pm.
2. Reduce alcohol intake, don’t take it on empty stomach.
3. Rest
4. Youghort ,banana, can be helpful