Seeds for gastritis: is it possible or not?
Last reviewed: 16.04.2020
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
One of the most popular and beloved products for most of us are seeds - mainly sunflower or pumpkin seeds. However, not everyone knows that in some cases they can not be used, so as not to harm health. So, it is undesirable to eat seeds with gastritis. Why? Let's try to answer such a question.
Is it possible to have seeds for gastritis?
What is gastritis? This is an inflammatory process in the gastric mucosa, which is caused by a specific bacterium Helicobacter pylori . The bacterium enters the stomach with food or water, and can also enter the body due to unwashed hands. Additional factors are:
- drinking alcohol, smoking;
- overeating, irregular meals;
- eating disorders;
- severe stress, anxiety.
If gastritis has appeared, the first thing the doctor will tell the patient about is the need for changes in nutrition , in the correction of eating habits, in the exclusion of certain types of food. Seeds with gastritis, too, often fall into "disfavor", as well as nuts and most dried fruits.
Seeds for gastritis with high acidity
With excess acidity, the gastric mucosa is irritated from almost any, even neutral products. Often exacerbations of the inflammatory process. At this stage, it is recommended to give preference to soft porridges cooked on the water, minced meat, steam meatballs and stewed vegetables.
Is it possible to use seeds in this condition? Of course not. Their rough structure will damage the gastric walls, and the fats in the composition will violate the already poor digestion of the food mass. Here are the symptoms the patient will experience in the end:
- pain inside the abdomen;
- motor impairment (diarrhea or constipation);
- burning behind the sternum, belching;
- bloating and abdominal discomfort.
In patients with gastritis, with excessive acidity, the seeds will increase the production of acid, which will lead to a deterioration in well-being.
General information of the sunflower seeds
Doctors explain: even if gastritis is in remission, the seeds will still irritate the mucous membrane, which may lead to a relapse of the disease. And in people with a healthy digestive system, consuming large amounts of seeds can cause heartburn, abdominal pain, and poor digestion. How to be?
In the acute and subacute period of gastritis, seeds are strictly contraindicated. After the onset of remission, it is allowed (but not recommended) to consume 10-20 g of seeds after eating, but not more than once every 7-10 days.
Pumpkin seeds for gastritis
Pumpkin seeds are especially popular with Mexicans and East European countries. Such seeds can be eaten raw, fried, boiled, as well as in salads, main dishes, etc. Heat treatment does not affect the microelement composition of the product, however, vitamins in seeds become noticeably less. In our country, pumpkin seeds are famous for their anthelmintic ability, as well as the ability to improve men's health. The composition of the seeds is diverse:
- Proteins
- vitamin K;
- magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus, zinc;
- amino acids;
- essential oils;
- organic acids;
- B vitamins;
- ascorbic acid;
- pitches.
Pumpkin seeds with gastritis exacerbate the burden on digestion, and if you use them with dairy products, this can provoke a serious intestinal upset. [1], [2], [3], [4]
Sunflower seeds for gastritis
Sunflower seeds are a long-standing attribute for friendly gatherings and idle pastime, and for some people it is an excellent way to get rid of nicotine addiction. If we consider the composition of the product, then the seeds are just a storehouse of useful components:
- tocopherol (the so-called "beauty vitamin");
- B-group vitamins;
- phosphorus, zinc, iron, magnesium, copper, potassium, selenium;
- Proteins
- phytin;
- a nicotinic acid;
- carotenoids;
- cellulose.
In Europe, sunflower seeds are used to treat respiratory diseases, allergies and malaria. But seeds for gastritis are not recommended: they have a fairly dense structure, which can injure the internal tissues of the stomach. In addition, the acidity of the gastric secretion increases, heartburn appears. [5], [6], [7]
Roasted seeds for gastritis
Gastritis is a disease in which any fried food should be excluded from the diet. And seeds are no exception. Roasted seeds are a powerful irritant for unhealthy gastric mucosa. This leads to increased activity of the inflammatory process, increased acid secretion.
Outside the stage of exacerbation, seeds are allowed to be used exclusively subject to the following conditions:
- seeds (not more than ten grams) are ground in a mortar and sprinkled with a side dish, cottage cheese, or yogurt;
- eat a small amount of seeds (up to 10 g) after a meal, washed down with jelly.
But you should remember: it will be better with gastritis to completely abandon various seeds, because useful substances can be found in other products. And seeds with gastritis are considered an extremely undesirable product.
Benefits
Seeds have a number of both harmful and beneficial qualities. They contain trace elements, B vitamins, tocopherol, vitamin A, various amino acids, which the human body really needs. The use of seeds in reasonable amounts and after eating can improve heart function, strengthen hair and skin.
However, seeds are a rather fatty product, and this cannot be called a positive quality: such fats can cause digestive upsets, problems with the kidneys and liver, and metabolic disorders. Compound seeds and various dental diseases.
Doctors note that an acceptable daily dosage of seeds for an adult healthy person should not exceed 50 g. They need to be eaten a little, after eating. For sick people outside the acute stage, this amount should be reduced by about three times. [8], [9]
Complications
Perhaps everyone will agree with this statement: after eating quite a few seeds, it is almost impossible to stop, the hand reaches for the next batch again and again. This is one of the factors that explains why you should not even start trying seeds for gastritis.
Scientists at the University of Biology at Stanford have provided evidence that a person is able to experience dependence on seeds. They performed an experiment on rodents and found that the brain structures responsible for reflex activity and the formation of addictions were activated against the background of eating tidbits.
Seeds with gastritis cause additional damage to the gastric mucosa. In addition, they contain a lot of fat. If you use them in large volumes and regularly, then you can provoke excessive secretory activity of not only the stomach, but also the duodenum. This will lead to pain, increased acidity, increased gas formation and other troubles.