Fact Check: Can eating cucumbers heal stomach ulcers?

Claim: A post on the social media site Instagram claims that cucumbers can heal stomach ulcers. It even claims that cucumbers can dissolve kidney stones, act as an anti-cancerous agent and regulate blood pressure. The post can be accessed here.

Fact Check: The claim is FALSE.

What is stomach ulcer?

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a peptic ulcer, or stomach or duodenal ulcer, is a sore on the lining of your stomach or duodenum. Peptic ulcers can lead to complications such as bleeding, perforation, penetration, or blockage in your stomach or duodenum. (1)

What causes Stomach ulcers?

The most common cause of peptic ulcer is H. pylori infection and can also include long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like ibuprofen or aspirin. These medicines can damage the stomach lining, which may lead to ulcers.

The less common causes include fungal, viral or other bacterial Etiology, smoking, stress, and high alcohol intake.

How are stomach ulcers treated?

When treating stomach ulcers, the approach focuses on reducing irritation to allow healing and preventing further damage:

Medication: Doctors commonly prescribe medications that reduce the amount of acid in the stomach, which helps heal the ulcers.

Antibiotics: If a bacterial infection from Helicobacter pylori causes the ulcer, a course of antibiotics will be necessary to clear the infection.

Lifestyle Changes: Avoiding things that can worsen stomach ulcers, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, and eating spicy foods, is important. Taking a balanced diet and managing stress levels can even help.

Can cucumber heal stomach ulcers?

While there have been some studies that have shown the positive effects of cucumber in the conditions of stomach ulcer there is no scientific evidence that supports the claim that cucumber can heal stomach ulcers. A study published in the International Journal of Herbal Medicine found that the ethanolic extract of Cucumis sativus (cucumber) demonstrated significant anti-ulcer activity in Wistar albino rats. Rats pretreated with cucumber extract at doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg showed a marked reduction in aspirin-induced gastric ulcers, with the highest dose providing the most significant protection. This effect is attributed to the presence of phytoconstituents like alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, steroids, polyphenols, saponins, and tannins, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, these results are based on animal studies, and further research is necessary to confirm the efficacy of cucumber in healing stomach ulcers in humans. (2)

Another review published in the Journal for Research in Applied Sciences and Biotechnology on Cucumis sativus L. and its Anti-Ulcer Activity summarized the findings from various studies, indicating that extracts from Cucumis sativus L. exhibit significant anti-ulcer activity in experimental models using Wistar albino rats. These studies assessed the efficacy of different extracts and doses of Cucumis sativus L. in reducing ulcer indices induced by substances such as aspirin, indomethacin, and ethanol. Results consistently showed a notable reduction in ulcer indices in rats treated with Cucumis sativus L. extracts compared to control groups. The review highlights the plant's traditional use in Unani medicine for treating various ailments, including ulcers. It suggests its potential as a natural remedy for gastric ulcers. (3)

While the studies mentioned provide promising insights into the potential anti-ulcer properties of cucumber extract, it's essential to recognize that these findings are based on animal studies conducted on Wistar albino rats. Currently, there is no direct scientific evidence confirming the efficacy of cucumber in healing stomach ulcers in humans.

What do experts say?

The Health Dialogues team asked Dr. Mandhir Kumar, Senior Consultant Institute of Liver Gastroenterology & Pancreatico Biliary Sciences, Sir Gangaram Hospital on whether cucumbers can heal stomach ulcers, he said, "So far, healing of ulcers is concerned, the treatment as of today is based on use of Proton pump inhibitors and/or eradication of H. pylori. There are foods like cucumber which have a high water content, which dilutes the acid and leads to a decrease in symptoms of ulcers, gastritis and reflux ulcers. Few people will report an increase in symptoms. Also, a study from Iran showed that around 30 per cent of cucumbers carry H. pylori, which is the causative organism of ulcers. At best, healing could lessen symptoms rather than heal ulcers. The cucumbers contain helicobacter pylori even despite washing. It means it is a causative organism of ulcers. Or conversely, if you drink coffee or tea, a patient who has an ulcer irritates it. This is not a recommended therapy for ulcers, and scientifically, it's not proven that cucumber heals ulcers. Recommended therapies for ulcers are medicine."

Dr. Arun Vaidya, Consultation Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist and therapeutic endoscopist, Zynova Shalby Hospital added, "No, eating cucumber cannot heal stomach ulcers. Cucumbers are generally considered healthy and hydrating which is why they are mostly used while preparing salads or detox drinks. However, cucumber does not contain medicinal properties which are essential for treating stomach ulcers. In some cases, properties like high water content and mild acidity in cucumber can irritate an individual’s stomach, especially if consumed in large quantities. This could sometimes worsen the symptoms of stomach ulcers. Solely relying on cucumbers can not only delay the medical treatment but also worsen your condition over time. Avoid eating certain foods like caffeinated drinks, spicy foods, soda, alcohol, and chocolate as they can easily irritate your stomach. Stomach ulcers can recur if the underlying cause is not addressed. Consult your doctor immediately for proper treatment to treat stomach ulcers. Your doctor might suggest undergoing certain tests such as specific blood investigations, endoscopy, biopsy and urea breath test for diagnosis and management. Timely intervention can lead to a speedy recovery and reduce the distress and complications caused due to stomach ulcers. If the ulcer is caused due to H. pylori infection, then your doctor might prescribe antibiotics course to kill the bacteria."

Health Dialogues Final Take:

While animal studies suggest that cucumber extracts might have anti-ulcer properties, no conclusive scientific evidence or medical consensus supports these effects in humans. Currently, medical treatments remain the most reliable method for treating stomach ulcers. Cucumbers may alleviate some ulcer symptoms due to their high water content, but they are not a substitute for medical treatment. They may even carry H. pylori, which can worsen ulcers.

Hence, the claim that cucumbers can heal stomach ulcers in humans is FALSE.

Reference:

1. 1.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (n.d.). Peptic ulcers (stomach ulcers): Symptoms & causes. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/peptic-ulcers-stomach-ulcers/symptoms-causes
2. Pradhan, D., Biswasroy, P., Singh, G., & Suri, K. A. (2012). Anti-ulcerogenic activity of ethanolic extract of
   Cucumis sativus L. against NSAID (Aspirin) induced gastric ulcer in Wistar albino rats. International Journal of Herbal Medicine, 1(2), 66-70.
3. Chattopadhyay, S., Roy, P., & Mandal, D. (2023). A Review on Cucumis sativus L. and its Anti-Ulcer Activity. Journal for Research in Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, 2(1), 201–203. https://doi.org/10.55544/jrasb.2.1.29