Dry food, fast food, and coffee may cause some stomach discomfort, but they are hardly key drivers of chronic gastritis. According to gastroenterologist Zhazira Rakhmetova, who practices at an oncology clinic, the belief that an improper diet causes gastritis is largely a myth. Meanwhile, the real factors that trigger inflammation of the stomach lining are often overlooked.
«I want to dispel a common myth that says an improper diet leads to gastritis. The simple truth is that hot peppers, cold water or eating ‘dry’ food are not the primary causes of chronic gastritis. The reality is far more nuanced,» the doctor said.
Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining that can be confirmed by histological examination of a biopsy sample, and specific factors can cause it. One of them is a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori. Another is an autoimmune process in which the immune system damages the stomach’s own cells, she added, noting that some medications can also damage the stomach lining.
«But what about coffee, spicy foods, carbonated drinks or popular fast food, one might ask? Of course, these products can exacerbate heartburn, discomfort or other symptoms in some people. However, it is crucial to distinguish between food that triggers symptoms and the underlying cause of gastritis. They aren’t the same,» Rakhmetova emphasized.
A second myth
The doctor also pointed out that it is not uncommon for a person with a healthy diet to still develop chronic gastritis. Conversely, someone may feel heaviness after eating without any inflammation of the stomach lining.
«Another common myth is that stomach pain necessarily means gastritis. That is not always the case. Pain, nausea and a feeling of heaviness after a meal can also be associated with functional dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease, acid reflux and various other conditions. Even redness of the lining observed during a gastroscopy does not, in itself, confirm a diagnosis of chronic gastritis,» the gastroenterologist explained.
Finding the root cause is key
That is why it is important not only to undergo an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) when a doctor recommends it, but also to interpret the results correctly. In some cases, a biopsy is necessary.
«Why do I insist so strongly on identifying the underlying cause? Because chronic inflammation — especially when linked to Helicobacter pylori — can, over time, lead to atrophy of the stomach lining and subsequently to intestinal metaplasia in some patients. These changes are associated with an increased risk of stomach cancer, although this does not mean that every person with gastritis will inevitably develop these conditions,» she said.
According to the doctor, patients do not need to stick to a lifelong diet of porridge and soup unless a specific medical indication requires it. However, it is important not to waste time and to identify the cause as soon as possible.