Stomach

Nutrients connected to Stomach

A link means the body needs the nutrient for this, or that low intake is linked to it. It does not mean extra supplements help if your intake is already adequate; each link shows how strong the evidence is.

• Vitamin B12Deficiency link

  Stomach cells make intrinsic factor, which B12 needs to be absorbed; stomach surgery or damage can cause deficiency.

• TansyDocumented risk

  Stomach inflammation and vomiting are listed with thujone poisoning.

• Green-spored parasolDocumented risk

  Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain start within hours.

• The sickenerDocumented risk

  Eating it causes nausea, vomiting and cramps, per a museum guide and the North American Mycological Association.

• GingerPreliminary or mixed

  Ginger is mainly studied for nausea and upset stomach. Results are mixed and depend on the use.

• Willow barkDocumented risk

  May irritate the stomach and is not advised with active ulcers.

• SarsaparillaDocumented risk

  RxList says larger amounts may irritate the stomach.

• Kola nutDocumented risk

  The EMA lists stomach and duodenal ulcers as a contraindication, and kola extract raised stomach acid in animal tests.

• Polygala (yuan zhi)Documented risk

  A toxicology review describes stomach and gut irritation with large or long-term use, attributed to saponins.

• Chicken of the woodsDocumented risk

  Nausea and vomiting within an hour of eating are the reaction on record.

• Honey mushroomDocumented risk

  Stomach upset is the usual reaction reported after eating honey mushroom.

• GingerPreliminary or mixed

  Ginger is mainly studied for nausea and upset stomach. Results are mixed and depend on the use.

• Poke root (pokeweed)Documented risk

  Nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain were the most common effects in the Kentucky poison-centre review.

• Cayenne and chili pepperPreliminary or mixed

  One chili dose can worsen burning and pain in dyspepsia and IBS; long-term intake improved some symptoms in small trials; MSK lists stomach irritation.

• CarawayClinically supported

  A fixed peppermint-plus-caraway oil capsule probably improved indigestion symptoms in a Cochrane review; this does not show an effect of caraway alone or of caraway as a spice.

• Blue flagDocumented risk

  The root irritates the mouth, throat and stomach and can cause vomiting; it is called especially unsafe for people with stomach or bowel disease.

• Prickly ash (northern)Documented risk

  A consumer drug reference warns it may increase stomach acid and worsen stomach problems.

• MayappleDocumented risk

  Irritant to the stomach and gut; vomiting and belly pain are early signs (IPCS).

• PersimmonsDocumented risk

  Persimmon tannin can form a stomach bezoar in case reports, including after unripe fruit or stomach surgery.

• White chicken of the woodsDocumented risk

  Nausea and stomach upset are the reactions reported for the genus.

• Ancho chileDocumented risk

  Large amounts of hot chili can irritate the stomach; MSK reports stomach-lining damage in volunteers. No study of mild ancho was found.

• Chipotle (smoked jalapeno)Documented risk

  MSK lists stomach irritation and pain, and reports stomach-lining cell loss and bleeding in healthy volunteers who ate dietary capsicum.

• Aleppo pepperDocumented risk

  Chili can irritate the stomach and cause pain; MSK also reports stomach-lining injury in healthy volunteers who ate dietary capsicum.

• Onions, Garlic & Allium Vegetables (overview)Preliminary or mixed

  People with high allium vegetable intake had lower gastric cancer risk in an observational meta-analysis; NCCIH says garlic does not seem to reduce stomach cancer risk, so the evidence is mixed.

• Common earthballDocumented risk

  Nausea, vomiting and stomach pain point to stomach upset; the mechanism is unknown.

• Chili PeppersDocumented risk

  In a small trial, chili capsules caused more abdominal burning than placebo in people with non-erosive reflux.

• Zucchini (Courgette)Documented risk

  Bitter zucchini toxins can irritate the gut and cause vomiting and stomach pain.

• Mastic (mastiha)Preliminary or mixed

  Studied for indigestion and H. pylori; results small and mixed.

• Kola NutsDocumented risk

  The EMA lists stomach and duodenal ulcers as a contraindication and notes stomach irritation.

• Wintergreen OilDocumented risk

  One patient in the warfarin series had gastrointestinal bleeding; swallowing is dangerous.

• Peppermint TeaDocumented risk

  The leaf may increase heartburn and worsen reflux, according to the EU monograph.

• Fermented Hot SauceDocumented risk

  Spicy foods can trigger stomach upset and reflux in some people.

• AlginateClinically supported

  Alginate medicines act in the stomach and relieved reflux symptoms in pooled trials; not clearly better than acid-lowering medicines.

• Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate)Clinically supported

  Antacid use; large single amounts have caused gastric rupture.

• Borax (Sodium Borate)Documented risk

  Stomach and food-pipe damage can continue for weeks after a large swallowed amount.

• Potassium AlumDocumented risk

  Swallowing a bite may cause nausea or vomiting; larger amounts of a related alum caused fatal poisoning in one case.

• Children's MultivitaminsDocumented risk

  Vomiting, sometimes bloody, is among the first signs of iron overdose.

• Curcumin (turmeric supplements)Documented risk

  Oral turmeric can cause nausea, acid reflux and stomach upset.

• DandelionDocumented risk

  Active peptic ulcer is a listed reason not to use dandelion root with herb, and stomach pain and extra stomach acid can occur.

• TurmericPreliminary or mixed

  Traditional herbal use in the European Union supports turmeric for mild digestion problems such as fullness and gas in adults. Studies hinted at a benefit, but their design flaws meant firm conclusions could not be drawn.

• FenugreekDocumented risk

  Digestive upset such as nausea and diarrhea is reported.

• PeppermintDocumented risk

  Peppermint can worsen heartburn and, taken alone as oil, may worsen indigestion in some people.

• Slippery elmLab or animal research only

  Traditional use for stomach upset; no trials of the bark alone were found in sources read.

• GentianPreliminary or mixed

  Traditionally taken for mild stomach complaints and indigestion. Accepted by the EU herbal committee as a traditional use only; clinical-trial evidence is insufficient.

• Witch hazelDocumented risk

  Stomach irritation may occur in susceptible people when taken by mouth.

• LobeliaDocumented risk

  Nausea and vomiting are reported side effects (MSK).

• Yerba mateDocumented risk

  The EU monograph lists gastric and duodenal ulcers as a contraindication; trials listed stomach discomfort.

• BupleurumPreliminary or mixed

  A meta-analysis of Xiao Chai Hu Tang trials in peptic ulcer found better clinical response than conventional drugs alone; this is a formula result and trial quality was not reported.

• Blessed thistlePreliminary or mixed

  Traditional bitter used for appetite and indigestion; EMA also says it may be unwise in peptic ulcer disease and strong tea can irritate the stomach.

• HorehoundPreliminary or mixed

  Traditional use for mild indigestion; no trials found.

• Camu camuDocumented risk

  Large amounts of vitamin C can cause stomach upset (MedlinePlus, NHS). No camu camu-specific source was read.

• RueDocumented risk

  Vomiting and abdominal pain are listed effects of swallowing rue.

• White kidney bean extractDocumented risk

  Nausea and vomiting are the usual signs of lectin poisoning from undercooked kidney beans, typically within 1 to 3 hours.

• Bayberry (wax myrtle)Documented risk

  Nausea and vomiting are listed effects of swallowed bayberry.

• Birch leafDocumented risk

  Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea have been reported, frequency unknown.

• CentauryPreliminary or mixed

  Traditional use for mild stomach complaints and loss of appetite; peptic ulcer is a listed contraindication.

• Lobster mushroomDocumented risk

  Some people report stomach and bowel upset after eating it; frequency unknown. Cooking is required.

• Horseradish and wasabiDocumented risk

  Stomach upset after pure mustard oil in a small report.

• Sarpagandha (Indian snakeroot)Documented risk

  The label says reserpine can increase stomach acid and lists ulcer as a contraindication.

• Pink peppercornDocumented risk

  Eating the fruit may cause throat irritation, stomach trouble and vomiting; young children have had vomiting and diarrhea.

• Asafoetida (hing)Preliminary or mixed

  Dyspepsia symptoms such as bloating and heartburn improved in a small placebo-controlled trial.

• FenugreekDocumented risk

  Digestive upset such as nausea and diarrhea is reported.

• Pinellia (ban xia)Preliminary or mixed

  Used traditionally for nausea and stomach complaints. Human evidence is limited to multi-herb formulas added to standard anti-nausea drugs after chemotherapy; pinellia alone has not been shown to help.

• Juniper berryPreliminary or mixed

  Upper-stomach discomfort improved in one small trial of a juniper oil preparation.

• Mistletoe (European)Documented risk

  Stomach upset after swallowing leaves or berries is described by Poison Control.

• BoldoPreliminary or mixed

  Traditional use for indigestion; no clinical studies found by the EMA.

• Nasturtium (garden)Documented risk

  A herbal reference lists stomach or intestinal ulcers as a contraindication.

• Cowslip (primula)Documented risk

  The EU monographs advise caution in gastritis and stomach ulcer; saponins can irritate the stomach lining.

• FumitoryPreliminary or mixed

  Used traditionally for upper-digestive discomfort such as fullness; evidence is limited.

• BerbereDocumented risk

  MSK lists stomach irritation as a common effect of chili; the umbrella review links chili intake to higher stomach cancer in some studies (observational, unclear overall).

• Lily of the valleyDocumented risk

  Stomach upset and vomiting after swallowing the plant.

• KokumPreliminary or mixed

  The gastritis trial studied rind extract with honey in people with chronic gastritis; one small trial only.

• Kashmiri chiliDocumented risk

  MSK describes stomach irritation and pain, and case reports of stomach bleeding with cayenne.

• Poison hemlockDocumented risk

  Nausea and vomiting after swallowing.

• Atractylodes lancea (cang zhu)Lab or animal research only

  Traditionally used for the stomach and 'spleen'; animal work on gastric emptying only, no controlled human trial.

• Dried fenugreek leaf (kasuri methi)Documented risk

  Digestive upset such as nausea and diarrhea is reported.

• Woolly milkcapDocumented risk

  Gastrointestinal irritation is the described pattern for poisonous milk caps; no species-specific case series found.

• Yerba MateDocumented risk

  The EU monograph lists stomach and duodenal ulcers as a reason not to use mate.

• Ginger TeaPreliminary or mixed

  Nausea is the studied use; evidence for the tea is limited to one small study.

• Turmeric TeaPreliminary or mixed

  Traditional use for fullness and slow digestion; no tea trial found.

• KefirPreliminary or mixed

  The review reported possible benefit as an add-on to H. pylori eradication treatment.

• Vietnamese Ginseng (Ngoc Linh)Lab or animal research only

  Majonoside R2-rich fractions reduced inflammation in infected stomach-lining cells in a dish; not shown in people.

• Agar (Agar-Agar)Documented risk

  A case report describes an agar-agar bezoar in the stomach pouch after gastric bypass surgery. One case, so how common this is remains unknown.

• Activated CharcoalClinically supported

  Given by mouth or tube into the stomach in hospital use.

• Energy and Focus BlendsDocumented risk

  MedlinePlus says caffeine increases stomach acid, sometimes leading to upset stomach or heartburn.

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