Nuts for gastritis: walnuts, pine nuts, cashews

Edible nuts are a delicious and healthy treat. They are used both as a separate dish and as an additive to sauces, salads, and confectionery. The specific nutty flavor gives a special zest to the dishes to which they are added. At the same time, it is a rather heavy and fatty product. What to do for people suffering from inflammation of the gastric mucosa? Can nuts for gastritis?

What nuts can be used for gastritis?

Diet food for gastritis involves a number of restrictions on the foods consumed. But a violation of the absorption of substances necessary for human life requires the inclusion in the diet of those that would meet the body's needs for useful nutrients. [1]

Nuts are able to compensate for the lack of nutritional components, increase resistance to disease. What kind of nuts can be used for gastritis? From the large list present on the shelves, the following types are allowed for gastritis:

• peanuts (50g per day);
• coconut (30g of pulp);
• walnuts (20g);
• cedar (20g);
• pecan (10g);
• hazelnut (10g);
• cashews (5g).

It is best to add them in a crushed form to dishes, and even then not every day, but in no case should they be eaten in the morning on an empty stomach. Nuts are heavy food that takes 2.5-3 hours to digest in the stomach.

Nuts for erosive gastritis

Erosive gastritis is caused by a decrease in the protective properties of the gastric mucosa and the formation of superficial, and sometimes deeper wounds on it. This is facilitated by alcohol, stress, treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and other factors. It can proceed in a chronic form, or exacerbations can occur, accompanied by even bleeding.

Acute conditions require medical treatment with strict adherence to diet. Nuts cannot be included in the diet until sustained remission is achieved. Anything that causes additional production of hydrochloric acid is prohibited.

A chronic course with a prolonged absence of symptoms of the disease allows the use of the recommended species in compliance with the measure. [2]

Nuts for gastritis with high acidity

Nuts are a high-calorie product containing fatty acids in their composition, moreover, they have a coarse structure. All this provokes the activation of gastric secretions. For gastritis with high acidity, they are not very desirable. But it all depends on the stage of the disease. Exacerbations completely exclude their consumption. At the stages of remission of chronic gastritis, the most favorable for the organ are cedar and walnuts. [3]

With hypoacid gastritis, nuts will help move the food bolus and speed up the digestion process.

Benefits

Why do nuts still need to be included in the menu, even with disorders of the digestive system? Research has proven their tremendous benefits to the body. [4] Previous reviews, as well as epidemiological and / or clinical trials, have shown that regular consumption of nuts has beneficial effects on health outcomes such as obesity,  [5] hypertension,  [6] diabetes mellitus  [7] and cardiovascular disease,  [8] with a decrease in mediators of chronic diseases such as oxidative stress.  [9] inflammation, visceral obesity, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction, and metabolic syndrome. [10]

Nuts are commonly found in the Mediterranean diet and are recommended for people around the world. [11] Tree nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, Brazil nuts, macadamias, walnuts and pistachios, and legume seeds such as peanuts are nutrient-rich foods, each with a unique composition. Typically, these products contain beneficial monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acid profiles; protein; soluble and insoluble fiber; vitamins B2, E and K; folic acid; thiamine; minerals such as magnesium, copper, potassium and selenium; and substances such as zantophyll carotenoids, antioxidants and phytosterol compounds with recognized health benefits. [12] They have a low glycemic index, which means they are useful for diabetes. 

Walnuts for gastritis

Walnuts are one of the most beneficial for gastritis. The concentration of antioxidants in them is twice as high as in other types. Of the vitamins, A, C, E (gamma-tocopherol), K, PP, group B, folic acid prevail, of fatty and amino acids - asparagine, glutamine, valine, oleic, linoleic. [13]

They strengthen bones, blood vessels, increase hemoglobin, and are a prophylactic agent against diabetes and cancer. At the same time, they stimulate the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, which must be taken into account and be careful with hyperacid gastritis. [14]

Some evidence suggests that walnuts (Juglans regia L.) can reduce the risk of age-related diseases due to the additive or synergistic action of its components with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Walnuts are high in antioxidants (3.68 mmol / oz) including flavonoids, phenolic acid (ellagic acid), melatonin, folate, gamma-tocopherol (vitamin E), selenium, juglone, and proanthocyanidins. [15] In addition, walnuts are high in n-3 α-linolenic acid (ALA), an omega-3 vegetable fatty acid that has potent anti-inflammatory effects. [16],  [17],  [18] Walnuts also contain protein (4 g / oz), cellulose (2 grams / ounce), phosphorus (10% RDA) and magnesium (11% RDA).

Of the 1,113 different foods that were tested for antioxidants, walnuts came in second. [19] Among dry fruits, walnuts have the best antioxidant efficacy, as evidenced by the fact that walnuts have the highest phenol content, followed by almonds and cashews, followed by raisins. [20] Another report found that 50 grams of walnuts contained significantly more phenols compared to an 8 ounce glass of apple juice, a 5 ounce glass of red wine, or a bar of milk chocolate. [21]

Pine nuts for gastritis

Due to its composition, softness, neutrality of taste, it is used for the treatment of gastritis. B vitamins, polyunsaturated fatty acids, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus are in the lead in its biochemical formula. 

Pine nuts have a beneficial effect on joints and bones, help to eliminate anemia, and increase immunity. They should be eaten to prevent atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, and nervous system disorders. It is this type of nuts that are widely included in the production of pharmaceuticals for the treatment of anemia, coronary heart disease, and strengthening the body's defenses. [22]

Brazil nuts for gastritis

Brazilian nuts are not very well known in our area, but with open trade borders, it can get on the table of a gastritis patient. Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa) comes from the Amazon region and has a complex matrix composed of bioactive substances such as selenium, α- e γ-tocopherol, phenolic compounds, folate, magnesium, potassium, calcium, protein and mono (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids. [23],  [24] They are inferior in taste to their related cashews and almonds. [25], [26]

Doctors do not recommend using them for gastritis, there are even restrictions for healthy people - no more than two pieces a day.

Cashew nuts for gastritis

Cashew nuts are consumed naturally or roasted or converted into food by-products. [27] Having a mild and slightly sweet taste, they are distinguished by a high lipid content (47.8 g / 100 g) as a source of unsaturated fatty acids (EFA) - oleic (ω-9) and linoleic (ω-6) acids. [28],  [29] Other functional properties of seed oil due to its phenolic content (flavonoids, anthocyanins and tannins) and fiber. [30] The most valuable micronutrients found in cashews are folic acid and tocopherols,  [31] which delay metabolic disturbances while protecting against atherosclerosis and other chronic noncommunicable diseases (CNCD). [32]

Of the above permissible norms for the consumption of cashew nuts, the smallest dose is reserved. It was found that in addition to useful properties (proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins A, B1, B2, minerals: iron, zinc, phosphorus, calcium), capable of resisting psoriasis, anemia, dystrophy, heal damage to the inner walls of the stomach, they contain caustic substances that can exacerbate gastritis. Therefore, it is best not to increase their concentration to high.  [33]

Cashew nut consumption from 28 to 64 g / day in adults with mild hypercholesterolemia reduced total cholesterol (-23.9% versus 4.5%) and LDL cholesterol (-24.8% versus -3.1%), respectively, according to compared with a control diet. [34]

Contraindications

Nuts are allergenic foods and walnut is the most allergenic among the listed ones. Each type has its own contraindications. So, walnut is not very suitable for people with skin problems, increased blood clotting, pancreatitis. Cedar is not recommended for obesity. However, there are studies that show that pine nuts can reduce appetite. [35]

Possible risks

Each person's body is different, so even moderate consumption of nuts can be harmful. Of the possible complications, the appearance of exacerbation symptoms is most likely. If you feel heaviness, nausea, epigastric pain, you need to immediately exclude them from your diet.