Is Honey Good For Gastritis? 5 Recipes That Might Help You!

Medically Reviewed By - Lindsay Ewan, Chief Medical Officer, MPH, MD
By - Mehrosh Ahmer

Every 8 out of 1000 people are going through acute gastritis. This common stomach disorder is often caused by a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. Doctors usually recommend antacids and proton pump inhibitors to treat gastritis, but do you know this healing process can be made even faster by honey? To learn more, let’s dig into it.

So, is honey good for gastritis?

Yes. Honey is great for gastritis. Research has proven the antibacterial effects of several types of honey against gastritis. This is due to the presence of bactericidal compounds in honey, which inhibit bacterial growth and improve the healing of the stomach lining.

Keep reading this article to learn which type of honey is good for gastritis and how you can consume it.

Is Raw Honey Good For Gastritis?

Yes. Raw honey is good for gastritis due to its anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and medicinal properties. Research suggests that honey possesses anti-bacterial properties against Helicobacter pylori which is the type of bacteria that can cause gastritis.

Honey is considered good for gastritis for multiple reasons, some of which are mentioned below.

• Reduces inflammation.
• Kills the pathogens.
• Heals wounds, and aids in repair of damaged tissues.
• Inhibits the regrowth of bacteria.
• Boosts your immune system

However, there are hundreds of types of honey, and not every one of them works well against gastritis. Based on a study that evaluated four different kinds of honey, Mountain honey possessed the highest inhibitory activity against the H. pylori bacterium, followed by Manuka, Capilano, and Eco-honey.

Different types of honey are different because of the types of flowers the bees collected their nectar from. The following is a list of the specifications of different types of honey and their effect on gastritis.

Is Manuka Honey Good for Gastritis?

Yes. Manuka honey is one the most effective types of honey for gastritis and other related digestive disorders such as ulcers. This is because of the presence of a unique compound called methylglyoxal, which targets the structure of bacteria and kills them.

The efficacy of honey varies because almost all types of honey produce hydrogen peroxide, which loses its antibacterial activity when diluted in the stomach. On the contrary, some kinds of honey possess compounds that do not get diluted, such as methylglyoxal in manuka honey.

Manuka honey is the best for gastritis because it attacks the root cause of gastritis, i.e., the bacteria that causes it. The high-sugar content of Manuka honey creates such a hypertonic environment for the bacteria that they dehydrate, and the result of this loss of water by the process of osmosis is that the bacteria do not survive.

Gastritis, when remains untreated or becomes chronic, can lead to stomach ulcers. Research proves the gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory effect of Manuka honey on an inflamed stomach lining and can be helpful even for peptic ulcers.

Is Clover Honey Good for Gastritis?

Yes! Clover honey is the storehouse of flavonols and antioxidants, both of which can help boost the body’s immune response. For gastritis, clover honey helps in coating the irritated stomach lining and promotes healing. It boosts wound healing and stimulates the body’s overall immune system.

How does Honey Help with Gastritis?

Honey targets one of the principal causes of gastritis, which is the Helicobacter pylori bacterium. Research demonstrates that it exerts inhibitory effects on the inflammation-regulating factors and hinders the infection from spreading.

The main cause of the antimicrobial activity of honey is its low pH, high-sugar content, hydrogen peroxide formation, and presence of proteins and other phenolic compounds. The high sugar content of honey inhibits bacterial activity as it dehydrates them. Research shows that honey also possesses several proteins that contribute to its antimicrobial activity.

Studies also tell us that honey-derived probiotics provide similar results as some antibiotics used to prevent H. pylori infections during gastritis.

Moreover, honey is a free radical scavenger! It sweeps away the free radicals which damage the body and by doing this, honey works as an antioxidant ensuring its gastroprotective effects. Being rich in phenolic compounds decreases the rate of inflammation and improves the immune response.

Precautions for People with Gastritis before Consuming Honey

Use of honey for medicinal purposes is highly appreciated in every nook and corner of the world; however, you must be careful while consuming honey if you have,

• Diabetes – honey has a large amount of sugar which is why it might risk your health as a diabetic
• Pollen allergies
• Incorrectly stored honey that is contaminated
• Infants under 12 months – babies cannot eat anything that contains honey because of the risk of botulism

Honey may not have an official “expiration date;” it is a non-perishable food that only spoils when stored inappropriately. Other than these, there isn’t much to worry about.

You can use honey in combination with other medicinal plants and foods to relieve gastritis. Examples include green tea, milk, water, propolis, etc.

How Much Honey Should a Gastritis Patient Consume Every day?

You can have 1-2 tbsp of honey daily, which is equivalent to about 30 to 60 grams. Add honey to a glass of warm water, stir it, and drink it daily in the morning on an empty stomach. 

However, do not drink too much honey; it can lead to other side effects such as gas, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating. Moreover, if you’re a diabetic or allergic to pollen, you should avoid it. And as noted above, honey must be avoided by infants under 12 years of age.

Potential Side Effects of Consuming Honey for People with Gastritis

Although honey is an all-in-one food full of nutrition and immunity-boosting ingredients, but it becomes problematic to some people, especially when consumed in excess. Following are some side effects of honey generally experienced by people with stomach problems:

• Abdominal pain 
• Diarrhea 
• Bloating 
• Constipation 
• Risk of botulism infection in infants under 12 months of age

However, the aforementioned symptoms happen when you consume too much honey or when you have any already-existing stomach disorder.

Who Should Not Eat Honey?

Although honey has countless benefits, this doesn’t mean that it can’t be dangerous. Unfortunately, there are certain conditions in which you can’t consume honey. These conditions include:

1. People with Sugar Intolerance

Fructose is a type of sugar found richly in honey. People who are unable to digest fructose suffer from a disorder called fructose intolerance. Their bodies lack the ability to digest fructose properly, making them sensitive to this type of sugar.

2. People with pollen allergies

While pollinating, bees collect pollen and nectar from flowers of different plants. People who are allergic to pollen can experience a severe allergic reaction after consuming honey due to the involvement of pollen in honey formation. The symptoms include skin itching, runny and stuffy nose, and swollen and red eyes.

3. Children under the age of 1

Research tells us that honey shouldn’t be given to children who are younger than 12 months due to the presence of Clostridium botulinum bacteria spores in some honey samples. In this condition, babies experience difficulty in breathing and severe muscle weakness. The condition can be fatal for infants, so honey must be avoided until children are at least a year old.

4. People with Diabetes

Diabetics must be careful about the amount of sugar they consume, and this includes honey, because it contains a large amount of fructose. The high sugar content can elevate blood sugar levels and worsen a person’s control of their diabetes.

Honey with Other Foods as Medications to Treat Gastritis

Honey works well against many infectious diseases when combined with other food items such as milk, green tea, water, and ginger. However, the choice of food varies according to the disorder. For example, with gastritis, consuming honey with green tea works very well.

The first-line treatment for gastritis due to H pylori infection, the “triple regimen,” is composed of a proton pump inhibitor, clarithromycin, and amoxicillin or an imidazole. Research tells us that the use of honey along with triple therapy for gastritis can shorten the amount of time it takes to eliminate the H. Pylori from the inflamed stomach lining.

There are many homemade drinks and other medications that can help alleviate the symptoms of gastritis. Following are some recipes that might help you during gastritis. 

Is Ginger Tea with Honey Good for Gastritis?

Yes! Ginger is well-known for its anti-inflammatory effects in treating digestive problems such as gastritis, constipation, dyspepsia, etc. Research shows that ginger is a radical-eradicator and can help relieve stomach problems such as gastric ulcers. 

Ingredients:

• fresh ginger (ground)
• 1 cup of water 
• 1-2 tbsp of honey

Process:

• Chop 1 tsp of fresh ginger 
• Bring it to a boil
• Add 1-2 tbsp of honey
• Stir the drink  

Drink it a couple of times a day. However, consult your doctor to avoid drug interaction if you’re hypertensive.

Is Chamomile Tea with Honey Good for Gastritis?

Absolutely, yes! Chamomile tea combined with honey is perfect for gastritis. Chamomile tea helps in balancing gastric acid, reducing bloating, and helping digestion. When combined with honey, its antimicrobial trait helps in healing gastric ulcers, stomach irritations, and stomachaches.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp chamomile tea leaves
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp honey 

Process:

• Add the dried chamomile tea to a cup of boiling water using a tea leaf strainer and steep for a few minutes
• Add honey and serve

Drinking chamomile tea with honey daily can be of great help to alleviate the symptoms.

Is Yogurt and Honey Good for Gastritis?

Yes, yogurt and honey both possess antibacterial properties, making them a good choice for complementary treatment during gastritis. Being rich in probiotics and anti-inflammatory agents, yogurt improves the integrity of the stomach’s lining. However, the combination doesn’t affect every consumer in the same way. It might work great for you but remain useless for someone else. So, if you find that you are experiencing unpleasant symptoms, please stop consuming yogurt and contact your physician for further advice.

Ingredients: 

• 2-3 tbsp honey 
• 1 cup yogurt 

Process:

• Pour the yogurt in a bowl
• Add honey 
• Mix it and drizzle it with the leftover honey and serve

Is Cinnamon and Honey Good for Gastritis?

Yes! Cinnamon and honey are great for gastritis. Cinnamon is rich in flavonoids, anti-inflammatory compounds that help boost immunity. A combination of cinnamon and honey is great for gastritis because they help heal gastric ulcers and lesions.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp honey 
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder 
• 1 cup of water

Process:

• Boil the water and add cinnamon powder to it 
• Cook for a few minutes 
• Add honey and serve 

Is Green Tea with Honey Good for Gastritis?

Yes, you can have green tea with honey if you have gastritis. Green tea is known to lower the risk of chronic gastritis. Combining it with honey even boosts its anti-inflammatory effects. Hence, to treat gastritis, drinking green tea with a type of honey such as manuka honey can help.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• Dried green tea leaves
• 1 tbsp honey

Process:

• Bring 1 cup of water to boil
• Add dried green tea leaves, turn off the stove, and cover it with a lid
• Lastly, strain leaves, add honey and serve

Is Milk and Honey Good for Gastritis?

Currently, studies reveal that milk with honey isn’t a good option during gastritis. Low-fat milk and honey were considered great for peptic ulcers in the past, but current research has shown this is likely not the case. Studies reveal that milk might serve as a coating for the epithelial lining of the stomach briefly, but thereafter it actually increases production of gastric acid.

Alternatives to Honey to Fight Gastritis

The symptoms of gastritis can be alleviated by using various other healthy options rather than honey. Some examples include cabbage, cauliflower, raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries. Following are some foods that are considered alternatives to honey to fight gastritis.

Maple syrup

The anti-inflammatory effects of maple syrup extract are well-supported by research. It contains a compound called “quebecol” that works as an anti-inflammatory agent. The pH range of maple syrup is 5.6 to 7.9, which means it is a substance that is approximately neutral. This pH is higher than the pH of honey; hence, it can be consumed as a sugar alternative during gastritis.

Agave nectar

Agave syrup has saponins that are known for anti-inflammatory activity and can work well against gastritis and other stomach disorders such as ulcers. However, agave syrup is high in fructose which is why it can become problematic for people who are sensitive to fructose-containing foods.

Molasses

Mulberry molasses can be used in treating stomach ailments such as gastritis and ulcers. It improves the body’s immune response to inflammatory disorders. However, too much of it can become problematic and can hurt the stomach.

Coconut Nectar

Coconut nectar, when dried up, becomes coconut sugar which consists of phytonutrients including polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanidins that are anti-inflammatory agents. Since it also contains inulin, too much can worsen some stomach problems.

FAQs

Is honey anti-inflammatory for the stomach?

Yes! Honey acts as an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and antiseptic agent for stomach disorders due to the presence of a rich amount of antioxidants. A special type of honey called Manuka honey has methylglyoxal which boosts the anti-inflammatory effects of honey on the stomach and promotes tissue healing.

What kind of honey is good for acid reflux?

When it comes to acid reflux, Manuka honey works the best! This is because the epithelial lining of the stomach produces more acid, thereby worsening the symptoms of reflux. Manuka honey coats this gastric and esophageal lining and promotes the healing of the damaged tissues. Hence, eating a tablespoon of Manuka honey a couple of times daily can help against acid reflux.

How can I calm down my gastritis?

Gastritis is a prevalent gastric disorder that doesn’t require medical care and can be easily treated at home by using natural remedies. Chronic gastritis can lead to peptic ulcers, which worsen if you keep eating foods that trigger gastric acid production. You may try green tea with manuka honey, cinnamon powder, coconut water and milk, probiotics, and an anti-inflammatory diet that can help treat gastritis.

Conclusion

The answer to the question, “is honey good for gastritis?” is yes. The anti-bacterial and  anti-inflammatory properties of honey make it a perfect choice for healing the irritated stomach lining.

Especially for gastritis, manuka honey is recommended due to the presence of a more potent antibacterial compound. You may use honey with cinnamon, ginger, or green tea. However, be careful while consuming too much of it if you’re diabetic.