DIET FOR GASTRITIS

What is gastritis?

With the termgastritisyesrefers to a widespread and superficial inflammation

gastric mucosa, that is, the lining of the inner wall of the stomach, which has the
function to protect the organ from the aggressive action of gastric juices. It is a
a very common disorder in the population, due to a variety of causes (seechapter 2).
Gastritis can present itself in two main forms:

• acute gastritis, a condition due to almost always known causes (e.g. alcohol abuse or of
some medications, stress, poor diet), often characterized by lesions of type
erosive or hemorrhagic, which usually occurs suddenly and can resolve.
quickly
• chronic gastritis, that is, a condition that persists over time, more frequent in
healthy adult population, especially after the age of 45, that can be associated withulcer
peptic. It is characterized by the presence of erythema, erosions, and absence of folds.
gastric folds, also known as "stomach wrinkles," i.e., the numerous longitudinal folds.
of the mucous membrane of the stomach. It can be either atrophic or non-atrophic,
that is, it may or may not present a reduction in the mass of the tissues, affecting
the cave, the body-bottom or both.

Usually, this disorder is not dangerous and can easily be treated. However, if
if not adequately treated, gastritis can lead to the formation of ulcers (wounds) and
bleeding (erosive gastritis) of the gastric mucosa. If symptoms such as pain and
heartburn (gastric pyrosis) that does not show signs of improvement and, on the contrary, persists in
in due weeks, it is appropriate to consult your doctor who will assess the possibility of carrying out
more in-depth investigations (seechapter 3).

Causes of gastritis

In most cases, acute gastritis is caused by consumption

excessive alcoholism from the abuse of anti-inflammatory drugs based on cortisone or NSAIDs
(Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) which weaken the defensive barrier of the
stomach, leaving the mucosa exposed to the corrosive action of gastric juices, causing in
this way the disorder. In other cases, acute gastritis appears following a
an indigestion due to an incorrect diet, especially rich in high-content foods
to gain weight. Also lostresspuò to be cause of gastritis acute.
The most frequent cause of chronic gastritis is, instead, a very common bacteria.
population known as Helicobacter Pylori (HB), which can colonize the gastric mucosa. The
the consumption of certain foods, including those preserved in salt, significantly increases the
possibility of contracting the bacteria.

Symptoms and diagnosis of gastritis

The clinical picture in the most common forms of acute dyspepsia caused by medications or stress includes:

• localized pain in the upper middle region of the abdomen;

• bleeding.
Many people with chronic gastritis are asymptomatic, meaning they have no symptoms.
In fact, the diagnosis is solely histological. Other people, however, may present various...
disorders, such as:

• pain and cramps in the stomach;

• heartburn;
• slow digestionelaborious (dyspepsia)
• nausea and vomiting;
• aerophagia
• feeling of fullness;
• reduction of appetite;
• halitosis, bitter in the mouth;
• gastroesophageal reflux.

The stomach pains that occur on an empty stomach with localized discomfort in the area
the center of the upper abdomen can often recede with the intake of
food, but they can also manifest during the meal (early satiety) or arise afterwards
having eaten, leading to a sense of fullness andabdominal bloating .
A more insidious form of gastritis is one in which mucosal atrophy occurs.
gastric: in this form of the disorder, symptoms may not be present.
specific and this can delay the diagnosis with a high risk of vitamin B12 deficiency
(cobalamin). This vitamin is mainly found in animal-derived foods and is excellent
how much is contained in Grana Padano DOP.

The typical lesions of acute gastritis can be detected through endoscopic examination.
Helicobacter Pylori can be diagnosed through simple and effective non-invasive tests.
invasive, such as the breath test (Urea Breath Test - UBT) or through research
of the fecal antigen with the use of monoclonal antibodies, which has diagnostic accuracy
similar to that of the breath test. There is also a more invasive method, namely gastroscopy.
with biopsy of the stomach (sample collection of gastric mucosa) which, in addition to
identify the presence of the bacterium already under examination through a quick search with
a specific test (urease test) reliably identifies the presence of the bacteria
through histological examination.

General dietary recommendations

The dietary recommendations have the primary objective of reducing

acid secretion of the stomach, as there are no specific diets and/or restrictions for
questo disturbo. Tuttavia, una dieta quantitativamente correttapuò migliorare o attenuare
the painful symptoms. Dietary restrictions or prohibitions should not be considered necessary.
qualitative excessive.
In case of gastritis it is therefore advisable:

1. Learn to know your body and to recognize which foods are

they cause worsening of symptoms, particularly increased acidity one-two
or after the meal.
2. Favor foods low infatspto favor the emptying
gastric.
3. Prefer simple preparations, such as steaming, grilling, or baking.
plate, baked and wrapped in foil.
 4. Avoid an unbalanced diet, too high in fats,proteine poor or deprived
ofcarbohydrates.
5. It may be useful, especially during the acute phases of the illness, to fraction meals.
in small and frequent mealsbreakfast, snack, lunch, snacke dinner).
The habit of consuming small and frequent meals (3 main meals and 2 snacks) helps
to mitigate stomach acidity that increases instead during fasting periods
prolonged.
6. Eat slowly, chewing calmly on small bites.

The three chapters that follow indicate the foods to avoid, to limit, and those generally
advisable in the presence of the disease, but not thefrequencyo thequantitynnecessary for
abalanced diet , which can and must be prescribed only by a doctor
specialist.

Prohibited foods

In order to avoid nutritional deficiencies, it is advisable that certain foods be limited.

listed below, only those that those who actually suffer from gastritis notice are associated with the
appearance or worsening of symptoms.

• Alcohol, as there is a direct relationship between its consumption and gastritis related to
the ability of ethanol to damage the gastric mucosa. As for thewine,
its consumption must be extremely moderate: a maximum of two glasses at
day for men and one for women. In general, it is preferable to avoid any type of
alcoholic.
• Salsas with cream, cooked sauces with abundant amounts of oil, margarine, butter, lard
and other foods rich in fats
• Sweets filled with creams.
• Carbonated drinks, hot liquids or too hot.
• Meat broth, broth extracts, meat extracts, and ready-made soups that
they contain such ingredients.
• Fried foods, as they increase the content of acrolein, a toxic substance.
which worsens the inflammation of the gastric mucosa.
• Stuffed like mortadella, salami, sausage, bacon, capocollo, cracklings, cotechino,
stuffed pig's trotter, etc.

• Canned tuna, anchovies, fish in brine or smoked, and ready meals. How
It is said that some of these foods, including those preserved in salt, increase
significantly the possibility of contracting Helicobacter Pylori.
• Meats that are well-cooked, such as braises, goulash, and boiled meats.
• Visible fat from meats and cold cuts.
• Dried fruit.
• Spicy and fermented cheeses.
• Beverages and foods containing stimulants (e.g., caffeine) such as coffee, tea of all kinds,
cola, guarana, cocoa, mate, and other beverages based on methylxanthines because, if
taken in large quantities, stimulate acid secretion.
• Chocolate, citrus fruits and citrus juice, tomato (especially raw) and juice of
tomato, onion, bell peppers, garlic, chili pepper, pepper, mint and all the foods that
they increase acid secretion, as they could worsen the symptoms
of gastritis and promote gastroesophageal reflux.

Foods allowed in moderation

 • Milk and yogurt ppartially skimmed, as they serve only as a buffer role
transitory followed by a powerful and prolonged stimulation of gastric secretions
two to three hours after their ingestion.

Permitted and recommended foods

• Pasta, rice, oats, and cereals in general, better ifintegrals. Alternatively, you can
consume the potatoes.
• Well-baked bread, without or with little crumb, slightly toasted, or crackers, slices
toasted bread, breadsticks, etc.
• Ripe fruit and seasonal vegetables, often varying the colors to promote the correct
assumption ofvitamin, mineral salts , fibere antioxidants. Among the vegetables,
prefer broccoli, fennel, carrots, zucchinicabbagepas they seem in
degree of alleviating stomach pain. As for fruit, prefer that
with a higher content of phenols like blueberries (in vitro studies have shown
an antibacterial action, protective also against H. Pylori infection.
• Extra virgin olive oil araw, added in moderation and dosed with the
spoon to avoid exceeding the quantities.
• Lean meats (e.g. chicken, turkey, rabbit) and free from visible fat.
• Sliced meats such as raw ham, cooked ham, speck, bresaola, turkey slices, and chicken.
provided they are devoid of visible fat (to be consumed once or twice a week).
• Fresh fish, in particular salmon and blue fish, to ensure a proper
introduction of essential fatty acids (omega-3 and 6);
• Lean cheeses such as primo sale, cottage cheese, cow's mozzarella, or partially.
decremated like Grana Padano DOP. This cheese isnaturally free of
lactose, quindi può essere consumato in tranquillità anche da chi è intollerante allo
milk sugar is the richest in calcium among all those commonly consumed,
contains excellent high biological value proteins (including the 9 essential amino acids),
important vitamins like B2 and B12 and antioxidants like vitamin
A, zincoselenium. Two tablespoons of grated Grana Padano DOP can
can also be used every day to season first courses and vegetable soupsto the
salt post.
• Water. You should drink small amounts during meals, but no less than 1.5-2 liters.
to the day.
• Unsweetened herbal teas and infusions based on fennel, chamomile, mallow, and licorice.
• Honey, as some studies have shown effective antibacterial action as well.
in preventing H. Pylori infection.
• Probiotics, as they could strengthen the immune system and counteract
H. Pylori infection.

Behavioral advice

• Do not smoke, since smoking contributes to damaging the gastric mucosa.

• Have meals at regular times every day.
• Usually, I have a warm herbal tea after dinner.
• Meals should be consumed slowly. Rushing is an enemy of gastritis.
Chewing slowly, on the other hand, promotes the.
• Do not go to sleep and, in general, do not lie down immediately after eating.
• Gastritis tends to flare up during seasonal changes, particularly with the arrival of the
spring, because it physiologically increases the secretion of acids and Helicobacter
Pylori could take advantage of the lowered immune defenses typical of
 this period. Therefore, greater attention must be paid at this time
of the year.
• When the acute phase of gastritis has passed, it is good to test by eating.
small quantities of certain foods (those deemed more at risk for the onset or
the worsening of the disorder). In fact, there is a certain individual variability due to
of which some foods contraindicated for some may be well tolerated by
others.
• Taking a walk after a meal, as it can be useful to aid the
digestion.