What should you drink when you have a stomach ache?

What’s causing your stomach pain?

The stomach is the organ responsible for breaking down solid food into a kind of semi-fluid mass called ‘chyme’.

It enables the digestive process to get underway, through muscle contractions and the secretion of highly-acidic gastric juices.

A number of different ‘malfunctions’ may be responsible for your stomach pain:

• indigestion (dyspepsia) as a result of eating an over-rich meal;
• part of your stomach contents coming back up into your oesophagus (gastroesophageal reflux). This causes heartburn and irritation as the unprotected oesophagus wall is exposed to acidity;
• a stomach ulcer. This is inflammation of the stomach wall, often related to colonisation by Helicobacter pylori, a type of bacteria which invades and destroys the stomach’s protective mucus layer. It can cause very painful internal lesions;
• gastritis, inflammation of the stomach mucosa. Gastritis is often due to repeated use of alcohol or medication.

Which drinks should you avoid in the case of stomach pain?

Limit caffeinated drinks

Drinks containing caffeine, such as tea, coffee, yerba mate, hot chocolate, cola, guarana and energy drinks increase acid production in the stomach and can exacerbate pain.

Avoid high-fat, high-sugar drinks

Sources of fatty acids, especially saturated ones, tend to aggravate any inflammation of the stomach wall, which is why it’s best to avoid full fat milk.

Sugars, meanwhile, promote acidity and attack the stomach wall. So avoid fizzy and mass-produced sweetened drinks (which includes many fruit juices, especially citrus fruit and tomato juice), flavoured drinking yogurts, etc.

Steer clear of alcohol

Alcohol, like caffeine, stimulates over-production of hydrochloric acid, and can upset the balance of the gastric mucosa over the long term.

By lowering the body’s defences and contributing to the development of lesions (1-2), it promotes the growth of Helicobacter pylori, often responsible for gastritis.

Studies have shown beer to be by far the worst alcoholic drink when it comes to stimulating acid secretion.

So it’s best not to drink it during painful episodes, and to restrict consumption more generally to no more than 2 alcoholic drinks a day.

Take care when it comes to drinks containing spices

Some people can be sensitive to certain spices (ginger or cardamom in chai, cinnamon lattes, cocktails with chili…) and should thus avoid them if they are prone to heartburn.

Best drink options when you have a stomach ache

Drinks high in soluble fibre

Dietary fibre, more specifically the soluble fibre found in vegetables, legumes and fruit, help protect the stomach lining.

Drinking vegetables juices is therefore recommended.

Some fruit juices can be drunk in moderation (opt for those made from passion fruit, pear, apricot and nectarine, high in soluble fibre).

Drinks rich in flavonoids

A number of studies suggest that foods rich in antioxidants, especially flavonoids, may slow down the growth of Helicobacter pylori.

It’s therefore a good idea to choose drinks made from flavonoid-rich fruits and vegetables:

• low-acid juices (with no added sugar) made from apple, banana, pear, strawberry, grape, melon;
• soups or juices made from peppers, celery, spinach, broccoli;
• teas made from thyme and dill;
• pistachio and cashew nut drinks.

Drinks rich in vitamin A

Several studies have shown vitamin A to be beneficial for inflammation of the stomach (3-4). It may therefore help to focus on drinks made from foods that contain it:

• carrot and melon juice;
• soups made from sweet potato and winter squash;
• les broths made from the leaves of beetroot, turnip and dandelion.

Water, infusions and herbal teas

Water is obviously the ‘gold-standard’ health drink and should be drunk in large quantities (dehydration being an aggravating factor in stomach problems).

It can also be drunk in the form of herbal teas (a few cups a day), by infusing or decocting plants with potential benefits for the stomach:

• marigold (Calendula officinalis), known to soothe the upper digestive tract;
• slippery elm (Ulmus rubra), the inner bark of which is believed to soothe the digestive tract;
• turmeric (Curcuma longa) which relieves inflammatory pain and facilitates digestion (5-6);
• German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), which helps relieve digestive discomfort through its anti-inflammatory components (alpha-bisabolol, chamazulene, apigenin and matricin) and numerous terpenoids and flavonoids (7-8);
• fenugreek which seems to play a part in the stomach’s physiological pH balance;
• and sage (Salvia officinalis) which supports normal stomach function.

Traditional home remedies typically include some of these plants which have documented effects.

Dietary supplements for the stomach

Probiotics for combatting Helicobacter pylori?

Scientists have highlighted the potential of probiotics in combatting Helicobacter pylori bacteria, particularly species from the lactobacillus family (such as those featured in the formulations H. Pylori Fight & H. Pylori Fight Advanced Formula).

It’s thought they are able to co-aggregate with the bacteria responsible for gastritis and stomach pain.

Chewable deglycyrrhizinated liquorice (DGL) supplements

Traditionally used for helping to relieve stomach problems, liquorice has recently been the subject of numerous studies designed to confirm its potential.

As a result of its glabridin content in particular (9), it is believed to stimulate mucus production in the stomach, thus boosting natural protection against the effects of gastric secretions and those of Helicobacter pylori.

Dietary supplements are particularly effective, but take care to ensure they contain deglycyrrhizinated liquorice (such as the chewable tablets DGL 500).

Other plant compounds for the stomach

You can also try other natural compounds associated with providing relief from regular stomach problems, such as amla (with the product Double Amla) or pistachia lentiscus (Mastic Gum).