Pathological symptoms such as pain in the projection of the stomach, nausea and periodic heartburn may be signs of gastritis. Gastritis is the cause of such unpleasant symptoms as stomach pain, heartburn, and nausea. In traditional medicine, this disease in its acute form is treated only with the help of special medications and strict adherence to a diet. Traditional medicine has long recommended the use of olive oil in the treatment of gastritis. The benefits of this product for the digestive system have been confirmed in many official clinical studies. All over the world, gastroenterologists recommend regularly taking olive oil in the complex treatment of chronic and acute pathologies in the gastrointestinal tract.
Olive oil for the stomach: benefits, instructions for use
The oily product of the olive is considered “liquid gold”. The poet Homer called him that. Since ancient times it has been considered a valuable and useful product. It is known to have been used frequently in ancient Greece and Egypt to treat illnesses and in cooking. Currently, the fruits of the olive tree are used in cosmetology, as a prevention of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, cancer, and heart disease. In cosmetology, face and hair masks, massage creams, and added to shampoos and balms are made from the fruits of the olive tree. They moisturize the skin well and strengthen the hair.
Origin story
The culture of eating olives dates back thousands of years. The olive tree is widespread throughout the Mediterranean and is a symbol of the country for the Greeks. The age of the oldest piece of wood found on the island of Santorini during excavations is amazing - 40,000 years.
It is possible that people suffered from gastritis back in the time of Hippocrates. Through simple experiments, they determined that in case of stomach diseases, olives alleviate the patient’s condition. The best effect was demonstrated by oil, which the Greeks learned to extract about 7,000 years ago. Many myths of Ancient Greece are inextricably linked with the olive tree.
For Egyptians, this product is also one of their favorites. In Ancient Egypt, the olive tree was called a gift for all humanity, received from Isis herself, the goddess of motherhood. Mentions of olives were repeatedly found in the Bible; they were talked about in the kingdom of Israel.
Effect of oil on the body:
The olive product has many beneficial properties on the human body:
- Regulates the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
- Promotes the flow of bile;
- Reduces stomach acidity during heartburn;
- Has a healing effect;
- Prevents the formation of ulcers in the stomach;
- Reduces the risk of malignant tumors.
Olive oil has a laxative effect. Thanks to which impurities and toxins are removed from the body. The acids that olive contains prevent the formation of fatty deposits and cellulite.
Used as a prevention of atherosclerosis, as well as for improved liver function. Vitamin A in the composition will help strengthen vision.
Labeling and manufacturers
Olive oil is divided into several categories depending on its processing. Marked as:
- Unrefined oils: Extra Virgin, Fine virgin, Semi fine virgin oil;
- Olive oil – refined.
Its most famous producers are Spain, Italy and Greece. These are the main suppliers of oil to the market. It is also produced in other countries where this tree grows, but not in such quantities that it can be sold to other countries. Unrefined oils are extracted by cold pressing. They contain more useful olive products, vitamins and microelements are preserved. Refined - extracted using heat treatment, due to which some of the beneficial substances are lost. This product is best used for frying.
Storage rules
After opening the container, it is recommended to use the oil as soon as possible, for example a month. If there is too much of it, it is recommended to store it in a warm and dark place. Avoid contact with sunlight and seal the bottle well.
When should you be careful?
Olive oil , like any food product, is not absolutely healthy, devoid of any harmful effects. Despite the fact that this oil contains a lot of useful substances, vitamins, minerals, it is not recommended to get carried away with it blindly. There is a category of people who are advised to be careful when using olive oil:
- those suffering from cholecystitis - the choleretic qualities of olive oil can negatively affect the inflammatory process in the gallbladder, exacerbating it;
- those adhering to a strict diet - although olive oil is considered a dietary, easily digestible product, one tablespoon contains 150 calories, which should be taken into account when planning your diet;
- olive oil , as some studies have shown, undergoes some changes during heat treatment, lipid peroxidation occurs, and the resulting toxic substances, to some extent, sooner or later react with DNA molecules and proteins in the human body, triggering mutational and carcinogenic processes; Therefore, it is not recommended to indulge in foods fried in olive oil.
How positive the effect of olive oil will be on your body depends on how correctly the oil was chosen. For example, it is necessary to take into account that after 5 months of storage the oil loses a good part of its benefits, and after 18 months it is completely unsuitable for use. Agree, very often we manage to buy a large bottle of oil for future use or do not even pay attention to the date of its production.
How useful this or that olive oil is depends on the technology of its production - there are several types of olive oil extraction, features of its bottling and transportation. You shouldn’t focus on the color of the oil at all; it depends on the degree of ripeness and the type of olives. To make the best choice of olive oil, you should carefully study the label of a particular product.
Is it possible to use olive oil for gastritis?
This is a disease in which you must adhere to a strict diet. Eliminate fatty and junk foods from your diet. When the stomach is inflamed, olive oil envelops its walls and promotes the healing of wounds on its walls that form during attacks. It is recommended to take both for the prevention of gastrointestinal inflammation and for its treatment. Flaxseed oil has the same properties, but olive oil has a richer composition.
Types of gastritis:
The disease has two forms: acute and chronic. Divided into the following types:
- Spicy. Occurs when taking medications, overeating junk food;
- Erosive. An advanced form of the disease, which is caused by the development of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori.
- Chronic. Systematic manifestation of signs of the disease.
- Surface. It is weakly manifested, since it affects only the surface layer. Occurs when the body is weakened, overeating, fasting, or drinking alcohol.
- Gastritis with increased stomach acidity. Causes nausea, vomiting, problems with appetite, and frequent heartburn.
- Atrophic gastritis. There is reduced acidity in the stomach, resulting in inflammation, and stomach cells gradually die.
Reasons for the development of gastritis
The occurrence of the disease can be triggered by poor nutrition, taking medications, bad habits, regular consumption of spicy foods and the entry of the H. pylori bacterium into the intestines. This is how infectious gastritis develops. The bacteria enters the gastric mucosa, actively multiplies, and begins to prevail over beneficial bacteria. Gradually destroys the gastric mucosa, aggressive factors predominate, the gastric mucosa becomes inflamed, and in advanced forms, an ulcer forms. H. Pylori is an infectious factor in the development of gastric ulcers.
Symptoms of gastritis
Main signs of the disease:
- pain in the abdominal area: sharp, paroxysmal;
- nausea;
- heartburn;
- sour breath;
- constipation or diarrhea;
- decreased appetite;
- flatulence.
Effect of vegetable oils
Fatty foods are harmful not only because a person quickly gains weight and becomes obese. They can provoke an exacerbation, which subsequently develops into a chronic form. The mucous membrane becomes inflamed for one simple reason. Animal fats have a rather complex structure. Their breakdown takes a lot of energy, including from the stomach. Food is retained and inflammatory processes occur.
Compared to animal fats, vegetable fats are absorbed faster. The epithelium of the stomach is covered with a protective film. When solid food comes in and acid is released, the film takes the entire “blow” upon itself. Pathogenic microflora also cannot reach the mucous membrane, the anti-inflammatory effect is beyond praise.
However, not all vegetable oils have such a healing effect. For gastritis, the following types of oil demonstrate impressive results:
- Linen. Relieves bloating and relieves symptoms of flatulence. The unpleasant feeling of heaviness in the epigastrium gradually disappears, the secretion of gastric juice returns to normal.
- Pumpkin, lavender. Their therapeutic effect is to quickly stop the inflammatory process. After consuming pumpkin and lavender oils, erosions heal much faster.
- Sesame. It is famous for its phenomenal ability to cleanse blood vessels and liver of slagging.
- Sea buckthorn. A few weeks after its use, the regenerative abilities of the epithelium improve several times. The oil has a strong strengthening effect.
Is it worth drinking olive oil on an empty stomach? Are there any benefits?
Many doctors recommend consuming olive oil in the morning for health benefits. At this time, the body maximally absorbs all nutrients and beneficial substances.
The product cleanses cells and tissues of harmful substances throughout the day. It also improves skin condition, has a rejuvenating effect, and normalizes intestinal function. It is recommended to use it in a course: 1-2 months, then take a break for the same amount of time.
Pros of using it in the morning:
- normalizes blood pressure;
- envelops the intestinal walls;
- maintains facial skin tone;
- strengthens hair;
- improves mood;
- prevention for cancer.
The product is taken in the morning, 15-20 ml on an empty stomach. After 30 minutes they start having breakfast. The recommended dose should not be exceeded, as this may cause diarrhea. This product is used in sports nutrition. Promotes weight loss if taken no more than 15 ml per day.
There is an opinion about the uselessness of taking olive product on an empty stomach. It is believed that it does not bring any benefit to the body, and the content of useful substances in it is so small that it does not have a positive effect on the body.
Olive oil for erosive gastritis
The erosive form of the disease occurs when digestive acid produced by the walls of the stomach damages its surface tissues. First of all, the gastric mucosa is affected, then the smooth muscles. This is an advanced form of gastritis. If you do not treat the erosive form of the disease, this will lead to the formation of ulcers.
This disease requires medical intervention and proper treatment. Olive oil product can be taken in combination with the main treatment. This product will enrich the body with useful substances, relieve pain during an attack, and partially restore the tissue of the mucous membrane. Will speed up the wound healing process.
You need to know how to take olive oil for gastritis correctly: it is recommended to take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day before meals. After taking, drink with a small amount of water. You can eat food after 30 minutes.
Diet for acute gastritis
If the disease goes through an acute stage, the diet must be followed with particular strictness, since proper nutrition definitely contributes to rapid recovery. An exacerbation is accompanied by quite severe pain. At this moment, it is better to refuse food altogether and take only water (preferably lukewarm) and tea (but not coffee).
On the second or third day, you can start eating in compliance with certain rules. The following dishes are allowed:
- food in liquid form;
- soups of viscous consistency based on milk and cereals;
- low-fat meat or fish puree;
- eggs (they are not cooked completely - soft-boiled);
- butter, olive oil (limited);
- the tea is not strong;
- vegetable broths;
- honey;
- berry, fruit jelly.
The following are prohibited:
- any meat-based broths;
- coffee;
- fresh fruits, vegetables;
- sweet and unsweetened sodas;
- kefir and other fermented milk products;
- cheese of any kind;
- baked goods and other confectionery products;
- any baked goods;
- spices - to a minimum, with restrictions (hot, spicy seasonings, vegetables are prohibited);
- acidic foods and drinks are also excluded.
A sample menu might look like this:
- Breakfast - overcooked porridge (based on semolina or rice) with a small portion of butter, not too strong tea, diluted with milk.
- After 2 hours: steamed cheesecakes, 200 ml of milk, cottage cheese casserole.
- Lunch – meat puree with boiled rice, compote made from dried apples and other dried fruits (can be replaced with jelly)
- Afternoon snack – oatmeal jelly, soft-boiled egg.
- Dinner – a decoction based on rose hips, a puree based on lean boiled fish.
- Late dinner - milk (one glass).
Important!
Along with the menu, calorie requirements must also be observed. During an exacerbation, the daily norm should not exceed 2000 kcal, and if the patient suffers from degree 2, 3 or 4 obesity - no more than 1600-1800 kcal.
Treatment of gastritis with olive oil
Olive oil for the treatment of gastritis is consumed three times a day, 1 tbsp. Before taking, drink a few sips of boiled water. The product has no side effects.
It can be used for inflammation of the stomach with high and low acidity, erosive form, stomach ulcers and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Helps restore intestinal function and heal damaged tissue.
In advanced forms of the disease, it is recommended to first consult with a doctor so that he can adjust the dosage and monitor the result.
Important! Olive oil for gastritis is not the main cure. If problems arise with the gastrointestinal tract, it is recommended to coordinate any actions with your doctor.
How to choose oil for the treatment of gastritis
Before starting treatment for stomach diseases, you should figure out which product is best to choose. The main parameter is acidity. To treat intestinal diseases, use a product with an acidity of at least 0.5%. This percentage is obtained by cold or first pressing, which allows you to preserve all the beneficial substances. The label must be marked "Extra Virgin". It is not recommended to use second-press oils for stomach inflammation. They are used for frying and have a high percentage of acidity.
Particular attention should be paid to the container in which the product is sold. It is better to buy it in a glass bottle rather than a plastic one. This bottle protects the contents from sunlight and air getting inside. Please check the release date before purchasing. The later it was made, the more useful substances it contains.
Contraindications
Olive oil has many beneficial properties due to its high oleic acid content. If you consume the olive product in unlimited quantities, there will be too much oleic acid in the body, and its effect will be the opposite. The acid has a choleretic effect. With excess consumption, the secretion of bile will increase, which will sharply increase the tone of the gallbladder. If there are stones in the bladder, the bile will move them out of place and the duct into the duodenum will be pinched.
It is prohibited to use:
- Contraindicated for cholecystitis.
- If you are allergic to olive, you must avoid it completely. May cause a serious allergic reaction: swelling, itching, rash. In rare cases, anaphylactic shock.
- The olive product should not be consumed in unlimited quantities. It is high in calories and may contribute to obesity.
This product is widely used in cooking, has medicinal properties, and normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. According to reviews of women who consumed the olive product to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and improve the condition of the body, we can say that the oil envelops the stomach, eliminates pain during an attack of illness, and restores the intestinal walls. In addition to its effect on the intestines, it rejuvenates the skin, strengthens hair and nails. After taking 1 tbsp of olive oil, the body is saturated for a long time, thanks to its calorie content.
The benefits are priceless
In ancient times, people tested the effectiveness of a particular plant very simply - they ate it and observed the result. Such “experiments” did not always end well. Fortunately, modern scientists have more modern techniques for studying plant products at their disposal.
Olive oil was no exception. Scientists and doctors were able to determine the composition of the substance:
- A rich vitamin complex represented by beta-carotene, K and E, C. It gives olive oil excellent antioxidant properties that slow down the aging process and bind radicals. The Greeks never suffer from vitamin deficiencies, because they season almost all their salads with olive oil.
- Fatty monounsaturated acids. They normalize fat metabolism at the cellular level and stop the accumulation of harmful cholesterol. The risk of vascular pathologies is reduced several times.
- Minerals in large quantities: phosphorus, iron, etc.
An amazing combination of fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins makes the product a universal remedy for a hundred diseases. In addition to strengthening the immune system and improving metabolism, the functioning of the digestive system and blood pressure are normalized. It should be noted that it has a good laxative effect and a strong choleretic effect. To cure a burn or other wound, improve vision, overcome a coughing attack or remove inflammation of the nasopharynx - olive oil copes with any task. The product is also actively used in cosmetology.