There are many theories about what causes stomach ulcers, but one of the most common factors is stress. When you get stressed out or agitated, your body can become tight and tense which increases your internal blood pressure. This increased blood flow stimulates secretion of acid in your digestive system to keep the area stable and relaxed.
When there’s too much acid in the gut, symptoms occur; sometimes they’re mild and easy to treat, but others may require medical attention.
Certain foods can increase intestinal permeability-the degree to which your cells separate from each other. As mentioned earlier, stress can do this, so if you’re under a lot of stress at the moment, try to take some time to relax before eating food.
Some people find that drinking water helps ease gastrointestinal (GI) distress, so if you’re looking to reduce inflammation and promote healing, drink enough water!
Watermelon has been linked to improved digestion and reduced GI discomfort, making it a worthy addition to any healthy diet. It may also play a role in promoting liver health due to its high vitamin A content.
This article will discuss how watermelon aids in treating chronic gastric ulcers by reducing oxidative stress and helping maintain proper mucus layer thickness.
Causes of ulcers
There are many factors that can cause stomach or intestinal inflammation, sometimes referred to as an “ulcer”. Sometimes internal injuries (such as from a car accident) can contribute to this type of inflammation.
Certain foods may be responsible for causing acid reflux or gastric irritation in some people. The most common culprits are red meat, spicy food, alcohol, caffeine, and certain types of vegetables like broccoli, spinach, and carrots.
There is no evidence that eating watermelon will make it more likely you’ll get an ulcer, but one small study found that it might help cure one already present.
A recent report discussed the case of a 61-year-old woman who was diagnosed with both chronic indigestion and gastroesophageal reflex disease. She had suffered two previous bouts of gastrointestinal bleeding caused by her symptoms.
After ruling out other possible causes of digestive distress, her doctors performed endoscopy which revealed active inflammation throughout her gut. They then administered a diet high in bran and low in lactose, both of which helped reduce her symptoms.
While doing an intake questionnaire, they noted she was drinking half a glass of fresh water per day. When asked if there were any changes in how well she felt during the meal, she reported that she experienced better digestion after having a few slices of watermelon.
This seemed to improve her overall wellbeing, so she began including it into her daily diet.
Symptoms of ulcers
Another symptom of an active stomach ulcer is pain in the area of the abdomen where the digestive tract ends. This often occurs at your belly button or just above it.
Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, lightheadedness, and weight loss. These are all signs that your body is not getting enough nutrients to keep you healthy.
Because watermelon contains high levels of vitamin A, some researchers suggest that eating it may help treat acute gastric lesions caused by acid indigestion.
Acute gastric lesion means there is inflammation present within the walls of the stomach. Acidity is one factor in causing this type of ulcer.
However, drinking too much alcohol can also cause acute gastric lesions. Drinking more than two alcoholic beverages per hour can increase risk.
It is important to note that studies have shown that people who eat foods containing large amounts of vitamin A do not experience increased incidence of cancer or other serious health conditions.
Treatment of ulcers
Another way to treat your stomach pain is by eating watermelon. This nutritious fruit may help soothe your digestive tract and give you some extra taste and energy.
Watermelon can boost your body’s natural defenses against acid. These include mucus, glutathione — an antioxidant that helps keep your cells protected from oxidative damage — and hydrochloric acid (HCl), which aids in protecting your gut lining.
Studies show that eating enough HCl can reduce symptoms of gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD). This is when stomach contents back up into the esophagus due to poor production or weakly toned tissue there.
However, it’s important to note that while some studies found that eating more watermelon helped mitigate GERD symptoms, other studies did not find this to be true.
It is worth noting that although drinking plain HCL can aid in treating GERD, eating pure HCl is not. The flesh of watermelons contain small amounts of hydrogen chloride, but none of the solid form.
Is watermelon good for ulcers?
Certain foods can help prevent stomach or intestinal ulcers, but none are better than watermelon! Recent studies suggest that eating enough fruits and vegetables may be more important in preventing digestive issues than limiting specific foods.
Watermelon is one of the most nutrient-rich fruits you can eat and it may play an important role in treating ulcers. While not every person’s health needs a balance of antioxidants, eating a diet rich in many different colors of fruits and veggies can boost your overall health.
Certain types of fruits and veggies pack enough antioxidant power to potentially reduce inflammation and heal damaged tissue in the gut.
Studies show that certain nutrients found in some fruits like vitamin C, zinc, and beta carotene may help treat active gastrointestinal (GI) ulcers by neutralizing acid in the stomach.
It also may help bring down pain related to GI symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is characterized by abdominal discomfort or pain along with changes in stool consistency and frequency.
Given its high nutritional value and potential benefits for digestive wellness, adding watermelon into your daily fruit intake can’t hurt.
Medical conditions that need to be diagnosed by a doctor
Certain medical conditions require you to see a doctor for diagnosis. Fortunately, there are some warning signs that can be noticed easily, like with watermelon.
Watermelon has many health benefits, but one of its major functions is acting as an antioxidant. Antioxidants help your body rid itself of free radicals, which are molecules that become unstable and harmful when there are too many of them.
Free radicals may cause damage to healthy cells or even contribute to disease and aging. Unfortunately, most people in Western cultures are not enough of an antioxidant source!
Certain foods are good sources of antioxidants, and since watermelon is one of the top vitamin C fruits, it makes sense to add it into your diet.
Helps dissolve mucus
There are several theories as to why eating watermelon may help treat or cure irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and stomach ulcers. One theory is that it helps soothe an empty gut by absorbing nutrients from the digestive system, helping restore normal function.
A related theory is that its high vitamin C content acts like a wash to rinse off excess mucous in the intestines. Both of these benefits can make watermelon a helpful food for IBD symptoms.
Watermelon may also promote sleep, which can be beneficial when you’re experiencing extra stress due to IBS.
It has been suggested that the lycopene in watermelon may have antioxidant properties that reduce inflammation. Research shows that antioxidants play an important role in protecting your health and immune system functions.
However, there isn’t enough research to prove that drinking watermelon will do anything more than give you nice, fuzzy feelings.
So enjoy all the watermelon you want! It just might put some drops of moisture back into the skin of those who suffer from dry conditions.
Contains antimicrobial properties
Recent studies indicate that watermelon may help treat or prevent ulcers. Certain components of watermelon have antimicrobial properties, which mean they can aid in killing infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Certain foods with antimicrobial qualities are referred to as probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms that benefit your health by acting like an immune system defender against infection.
Studies show that some strains of probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) may be effective in treating stomach ulcers. Given this, it is not surprising that many people use fermented products — including pickled vegetables and kimchi, both of which contain LAB!
Watermelon contains flavonoids, bioactive compounds that have antioxidant properties. It also contains lycopene, a carotenoid compound that may reduce inflammation and promote heart function.
A review of 5 randomized controlled trials found that eating 2–4 cups of fresh watermelon per day was associated with improvements in gastric mucosal barrier integrity and pH levels.
It is thought that these effects contribute to reduced risk of acute gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, such as diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain caused by viral or bacterial infections.
However, more long-term research is needed before we recommend replacing current treatments for digestive disorders with watermelon.
Watermelon juice contains antioxidants
Recent studies suggest that watermelon may help prevent stomach ulcers by acting as a digestive aid, helping to restore normal balance of acid in your gut.
A recent study conducted at The University of Texas Medical Branch found that people with active duodenal or gastric ulcers can easily consume eight ounces (about one-fourth cup) of fresh watermelon per day for two weeks and see significant improvement in their symptoms.
Watermelon is an easy way to add some flavor and health benefits to your diet. It works best when it is freshly cut and tastes good!
It also does not require cooking which means you do not have to worry about vitamin loss. Plus, you will get more of both antioxidant compounds and carbohydrate nutrients such as glucose and fructose.
Making it easier to meet your nutritional calorie needs while still enjoying the food.
