Your stomach burns after a plate of pepper soup, and an aunty declares: no more pepper, you have ulcer. So, does pepper cause ulcer?
The claim: spicy food creates stomach ulcers. The truth: the two main causes are H. pylori, a common stomach infection, and regular use of painkillers like ibuprofen, diclofenac and aspirin, the US National Institutes of Health explains. Pepper can make symptoms worse, but it does not cause the sore.
That matters, because cutting pepper will not heal an ulcer caused by infection. Ask for an H. pylori test; if positive, it is treated with a course of medicines. Make sure yours are genuine with our guide to spotting fake antibiotics.
Go to hospital urgently for black stool, vomiting blood or sudden severe stomach pain.
Verdict: false.
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
The Health Factor Africa
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