Add extra virgin olive oil to your list of natural weapons for fighting and preventing H. pylori infections that cause countless cases of gastritis and peptic ulcers, according to a Spanish study.
Using laboratory experiments that simulated the acidic conditions of the stomach, researchers discovered the healthy phenolic compounds found in extra virgin olive oil remained stable for hours. Moreover, those same substances had a strong antibacterial effect on eight strains of H. pylori, including those that were resistant to antibiotics.
Extra virgin olive oil is one of the healthiest oils you can consume, and, certainly, better than vegetable oils that only worsen your ratio of omega-6 fats to omega-3s. Just remember, however, extra virgin olive oil is great on salads but not for cooking.
Another proven natural method for eradicating H. pylori: Eating one or two cloves of raw garlic daily.
Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, Vol. 55, No. 3, February 7, 2007: 680-686 Free Full Text StudyCBS News February 13, 2007Science Daily February 14, 2007