6 Foods that Can Kill H. Pylori Naturally & What to Expect.

Can foods kill h. pylori?

H. pylori bacteria is a strong organism. It survives your lethal stomach acid. 

Moreover, H. pylori are becoming more resistant nowadays to antibiotics. So, Don’t put high expectations on foods to kill h. pylori.

The likelihood of curing H. pylori with a food-only approach is unrealistic. H. pylori can cause serious diseases such as stomach ulcers (epigastric and back pain), gastric cancer, and gastric MALT lymphoma.

It is better to look for the food advice in this article as supplementary to your doctor’s antibiotic treatment and medical advice.

Foods can only reduce H. pylori activity, stomach inflammation, and the damage of the stomach lining(reference).

The foods below can partially reduce h. pylori numbers and colonization at the stomach mucosa.

Summary: Foods that fight h. Pylori.

1. Lactoferrin (found mainly in milk).

Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein that collects iron (iron chelator). Lactoferrin deprives H. pylori bacteria of iron (the leading food for h. pylori).

In this experimental study, Lactoferrin (in milk) was able to markedly decrease h. pylori numbers attached to the gastric mucosa. Moreover, Lactoferrin significantly reduced the degree of inflammation of gastric mucosa.

How to get Lactoferrin (sources):

Lactoferrin presents mainly in milk (cow milk and human milk). Fortunately, it survives most methods of pasteurization.

Also, Lactoferrin is available as an over-the-counter supplement. It is safe and well-tolerated.

However, Higher doses may cause side effects such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation (doses more than 1,100 mg per day) (reference).

Ask your doctor about taking a lactoferrin supplement during H. pylori eradication therapy.

Learn more about Lactoferrin.

2. Isothiocyanates (mainly in vegetables).

Isothiocyanates are found mainly in vegetables (the sources are illustrated below).

Isothiocyanates act as anti-cancer substances. The scientists believe the anti-cancer activity of isothiocyanates is because of their ability to kill h. pylori (reference).

Isothiocyanate inhibits the growth of h. pylori. Experimental studies showed that isothiocyanate is capable of killing h. pylori bacteria (reference).

Interestingly, the same study showed that isothiocyanate could kill even the clarithromycin-resistant h. pylori strains. 

Another study investigated the effect of eating 70g/day of broccoli sprout on H. pylori. Eating broccoli sprouts resulted in a significant decrease in h. pylori colonization of gastric lining mucosa (reference).

MORE: Is Potato Good for Gastritis: Evidence from Research.

Sources: 

Isothiocyanates are a group of substances that are found mainly in (reference):

• Sauerkraut Juice.
• Broccoli.
• Brussels sprouts.
• Cabbage.
• Japanese reddish cauliflower.
• Watercress.

3. Phenolic derivatives (found mainly in fruits).

Many fruits showed anti-h. pylori activity in experimental studies. Scientists think the anti-h. pylori properties of fruits are due to their content of phenolic derivatives (reference). 

Dr. Chatterjee and his research team found that phenolic compounds in the (berry) family of fruits can fight clarithromycin-resistant h. pylori strains (reference).

Main sources:

• Highbush blueberry (and its extract).
• Strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, and bilberry.
• Other fruits such as apples, peaches, apricots, plums, cherries, pears, and grapes.
• Vegetables such as yellow onion (highest source), potatoes, rhubarb, red cabbage, etc.
• Some grains such as buckwheat, rye, oats, and barley.
• Beverages such as cider, coffee, soy milk, regular milk, black and green tea.

NOTE: some of the phenol-containing foods are irritant to your stomach. Some foods can do more harm than good to gastritis. So, Consult your nutritionist or your doctor before you eat any trigger food. 

Learn more about the foods to avoid with H. pylori.

4. Honey.

Research shows that honey has antibacterial activity against many types of bacteria, including h. pylori. 

Some types of honey, such as oak trees and manuka honey were found to fight h. pylori bacteria in the experimental laboratory studies (reference).

In this study, honey intake (at least once per week) was associated with a significantly lower prevalence of h. pylori infection (reference).

Main types of honey with anti-h. pylori activity:

• Manuka honey.
• Oaktree honey.

5. Oils and fatty acids.

Experimental studies found that poly0-unsaturated fatty acids, omega-3, and omega-6 can fight h. pylori bacteria (reference).

Plant-based oils have polyphenol substances that help kill h. pylori bacteria.

Including moderate amounts of healthy oils may help you fight h. pylori.

Common sources:

• Blackcurrant seed oil.
• Fish oil.
• Carrot seed oil.
• Grapefruit seed oil.

6. Probiotics and probiotic food.

Probiotics are good bacteria found in foods and probiotic supplements. When taken, they help fight against harmful bacteria such as h. pylori. 

Some probiotic bacterial strains are more effective in killing h. pylori than others.

In this systematic review study, the addition of Saccharomyces bouldardii to the triple h. pylori therapy increased the eradication rate.

Lactobacillus GG (another probiotic strain) was also found to be effective in fighting h. pylori and reducing the antibiotic side effects (reference).

Sources:

• The best is taking a probiotic supplement containing Lactobacillus GG and Saccharomyces bouldardii.
• Milk, Kefir, yogurt, Saurkraut, and Kimchi contain lactobacillus strains. 
• Mangosteen and lychee contain Saccharomyces bouldardii.

Bonus: foods with little evidence that they kill H. pylori.

The following foods are investigated for their anti-h. pylori activity. However, clinical trials on humans are either conflicting or not well researched (reference):

• Garlic.
• Vitamin C.
• Vitamin E.
• Green Tea.
• Redowine. 
• Licorice. 

In conclusion, No food can kill h. pylori and province a complete cure. Foods can partially help in fighting h. pylori and h. pylori-related inflammation and cancer. 

Antibiotic therapy of h. pylori remain the standard treatment that can help you kill h. pylori. 

Bouns 2: Foods to avoid with h. pylori.

Also, some foods with natural compounds can do harm more than good as they can trigger gastritis. Below, the list of foods to avoid with H. pylori.