The line between spicy meals and burning stomach ulcer – is there a straight link?
For years, many Nigerians have believed that consuming spicy foods - especially the pepper-rich diets common among the Yoruba - could lead to stomach ulcers. Having seen a researcher debunk this first myth, what comes next?
What science thinks about when someone develops a stomach ulcer is that acid must have eaten through the protective stomach lining, causing an open sore, yet this remains a complex idea for people to comprehend, meaning more extra efforts are needed to get the message across, like right now.
In patients nursing this challenge, some symptoms may include burning pain in the affected area as well as indigestion, but these signs need to be repeated often, as some think their situation is likely due to taking spicy foods, hence why the experts are stepping in.
If spicy food causes ulcers, Yorubas who consume a lot of pepper should have the highest ulcer rates. But that’s not the case, Agona Obembe, a Professor of Gastrointestinal Physiology in the College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Cross River State, had told Punch Healthwise during an interview.
The real culprit is Helicobacter pylori, which is often contracted through poor hygiene, like not washing hands after using the toilet, or even through kissing.
Ulcers only heal when the underlying cause is addressed. Researchers identify the common causes include bacteria and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is therefore recommended that treatment focuses on removing the cause.
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For years, many Nigerians have believed that consuming spicy foods – especially the pepper-rich diets common among the Yoruba – could lead to stomach ulcers. Having seen a researcher debunk this first myth, what comes next?
Fasting to ulcers
Nigeria is a deeply spiritual country, with millions of Muslims and Christians observing Ramadan and Lent, both lasting at least 30 days. Given the prolonged fasting periods, many assume that going without food for extended hours could trigger ulcers.
However, Professor Obembe dismisses this as another misconception. She explains that food acts as a buffer, helping to neutralise stomach acid. When food is absent, acid can corrode the stomach lining, potentially worsening existing ulcers but not necessarily causing them.
Nigeria has a high burden of H. pylori infections, with an 87 percent prevalence, according to a study published in the Nigerian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. The northern region has a higher prevalence, possibly due to differences in hygiene practices and healthcare access.
To prevent and treat ulcers, experts recommend improving cleanliness and hygiene, washing hands regularly to reduce H. pylori transmission. Other times, they are to avoid excessive NSAID use and consult a doctor before prolonged use.
When there is food in the stomach, says Agona Obembe, it helps to mop up acid. It’s just like putting a sponge in water, and it mops up the water. So food serves as a buffer; it mops up this acid in the stomach.
But when there is no food to mop up this acid, the acid found in the stomach begins to feed and corrode the stomach walls. So, prolonged fasting may cause ulcers. But when intermittent fasting is done, it does not lead to ulcers.
Professor Obembe said that if the person is already infected with Helicobacter pylori, and fasting, with the acid secretion in the stomach, they have no food to buffer it, then the person will have an exacerbated ulcer. The ulcer will be aggravated in the process.
Additionally, there would be eating balanced meals, not skipping food unnecessarily to avoid acid build-up. While spicy foods and fasting may worsen ulcer symptoms, they are not the root causes.
Instead, H. pylori infections and NSAID overuse are the main culprits. Understanding these facts can help Nigerians make informed health decisions, ensuring proper treatment and prevention of stomach ulcers.
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Well, since the physiology professor Obembe already ruled out spicy meals as the cause, is it now time to turn attention to fasting as the conjurer of ulcers in the body? The expert still thinks this is another insinuation, not based on fact.
Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.
