List of Foods to Eat When You Have H. Pylori
Health ConditionsDigestive Health

What to Eat When You Have H. Pylori

What to Eat When You Have H. Pylori
Everyday Health
By
Andra Picincu, CN, CPT
Updated on August 6, 2025
by
Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that grows in the gastric mucous layer. It’s responsible for 70 to 90 percent of gastric ulcers, and it may cause stomach cancer if left untreated.

About 80 to 90 percent of people infected with H. pylori show no symptoms, which makes it hard for doctors to diagnose.

One study found that 43 percent of people worldwide have the bacteria.

The infection is caused when H. pylori enters the stomach lining. It can be passed between people through contact with bodily fluids such as saliva, vomit, or stool. Contaminated surfaces, food, and water may also contribute to the spread of H. pylori.


H. pylori is classified as a Group I carcinogen and may cause pathologic changes later in life.

Helicobacter Pylori Diet Recommendations

H. pylori contributes to gastric and duodenal ulcers as well as chronic gastritis.

Certain foods and dietary components may help reduce Helicobacter pylori colonization and may serve as adjuncts to standard therapy (e.g. antibiotics). But it is important to note that diet changes do not reliably get rid of the infection by themselves.

Some foods, especially those rich in vitamin D, may help in the prevention and treatment of H. pylori infection, although this has not been shown concretely.


Fruits and vegetables may be particularly beneficial for people who carry this pathogen. Studies indicate that high fruit intakes may lower the risk of gastric cancer by up to 33 percent.


Due to their high antioxidant levels, these foods may help neutralize oxidative damage and protect the gastric mucosa. Some nutrients, such as vitamin C, may inhibit gastric cancer cell growth.

If you have a peptic ulcer caused by H. pylori, consider making small dietary changes that may benefit your overall gastrointestinal (GI) health:

  • Cut down on alcohol.
  • Fill up on fruits and vegetables.
  • Get more fiber.
  • Eat probiotic-rich foods.
These recommendations can improve digestive health and prevent complications. Eating high-fiber foods has been shown to lower the risk of gastric cancer.

High fiber foods include apples, berries, broccoli, corn, dried fruit, leafy green vegetables, and potatoes with skins.

Teas made from the Camellia sinensis plant — including green, black, and oolong teas — may suppress the growth of H. pylori without affecting beneficial gut bacteria. But more research is needed to confirm these claims.

Adding the following foods to your daily meals may help relieve the symptoms of a peptic ulcer.

Try Tea and Honey

Honey and tea do a lot more than just relieve a sore throat or improve your sleep. They may also protect against H. pylori infection. In one study, participants who consumed honey at least once a week for a week, and green and black tea one day a week or more, had a significantly lower risk of H. pylori infection.


Another study found a link between regular honey consumption and lower rates of the H. pylori infection — but this is not a concrete link.


That same study shows that eating yogurt more than five times a week may help protect against this condition and make it easier to manage its symptoms. Eat honey and yogurt more often to reap the benefits, which overall are beneficial for GI health.

Also, start your day with a cup of green or black tea. Both types of tea are rich in antioxidants and exhibit antimicrobial properties.

Fill Up on Probiotics

Pickles, natto, sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, and other probiotic foods keep your digestive system running smoothly by increasing beneficial gut bacteria.

Lactobacilli and other probiotics have been found to ameliorate gastrointestinal symptoms linked with the bacteria. Plus, research indicates that supplementation with S. boulardii may help destroy H. pylori when used as part of a standard treatment plan. It may help reduce adverse effects such as bloating, diarrhea, and constipation.

Depending on your preferences, you can take probiotic supplements, eat probiotic foods or both as part of an ulcer diet. Miso, tempeh, yogurt, kombucha, pickled vegetables, buttermilk, and some types of cheese are naturally rich in probiotics and may improve digestive health. On top of that, they may help relieve bloating, gas, diarrhea, and other side effects of antibiotics, which are usually the first line of treatment for an H. pylori infection.

Eat Healthy Fats

Olive oil, fatty fish, nuts, and other foods rich in polyunsaturated fats may protect against Helicobacter pylori–related gastric disorders. Omega-3s may help prevent gastric cancer and restore digestive health after a chronic H. pylori infection. These healthy fats also support cardiovascular function, fight inflammation, and relieve arthritis symptoms.

Scientists have found that omega-3s may lower the risk of inflammatory bowel disorders.

 Due to their antioxidant properties, they scavenge free radical damage — a major contributing factor to gastric cancer. The same review suggests that walnuts — which are chock-full of vitamin E and healthy fats — may help maintain GI health.
But walnuts are far from the only sources of omega-3s. If you’re allergic to nuts, you can fill up on salmon, tuna, mackerel, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, and extra virgin olive oil. These foods are loaded with polyunsaturated fatty acids and other essential nutrients. In fact, daily intake of fish and olive oil may lower the risk of H. pylori infection. Soft drinks and processed meats have the opposite effect.

The Takeaway

  • An H. pylori infection typically doesn’t cause symptoms, making it hard to diagnose.
  • H. pylori is classified as a Group I carcinogen.
  • The bacteria can be passed between people through contact with certain bodily fluids.
  • Due to their high antioxidant content, fruits and vegetables may be beneficial for individuals.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
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Yuying Luo, MD

Medical Reviewer

Yuying Luo, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai West and Morningside in New York City. She aims to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered, and holistic care for her patients.

Her clinical and research focus includes patients with disorders of gut-brain interaction such as irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia; patients with lower gastrointestinal motility (constipation) disorders and defecatory and anorectal disorders (such as dyssynergic defecation); and women’s gastrointestinal health.

She graduated from Harvard with a bachelor's degree in molecular and cellular biology and received her MD from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she was also chief resident. She completed her gastroenterology fellowship at Mount Sinai Hospital and was also chief fellow.

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Andra Picincu, CN, CPT

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