Wine and Beer may ward off peptic ulcers
Alcoholic beverages like wine and beer may help prevent peptic ulcers, while coffee may promote them, a recent study in Germany has concluded.The bacteria, known as helicobacter pylori, plays a key role in the development of a vast majority of peptic ulcers. ``People who consumed more than 75 gm of alcohol per week were less likely to be infected with ulcer-causing bacteria than those who did not consume alcohol,'' the researchers say.``Individuals who drank at least three cups of coffee a day were about 2.5 times more likely to h.pylori infection than those who did not drink coffee,'' says Dr.Herman Brenner of University of Ulm in Germany. ``Wine was slightly more protective against infection than beer,'' the researchers say.``If alcohol prevents h.pylori infection then alcohol may ward off cardiovascular disease as well,'' Dr. Jenkins said.
Food rich in antioxidants can prevent heart trouble
Use of food rich in vitamin A and vitamin C, which are antioxidants, keeps heart trouble away. According to cardiologist Dr Bimal Chhajer, who recently concluded a study on the extent of benefit with the use of such foods, said instead of taking vitamin pills, acquiring vitamins from their natural sources is far better as they are absorbed better and do not cause side effects such as hyper vitaminosis.
Antioxidants are chemicals which stop the oxidation of cholesterol, which is a preliminary step in the formation of coronary arterial blockages.
According to Dr Chhajer, these vitamins are immensely beneficial to heart patients and actually help in the reversal of heart diseases.
What kind of food is good for the heart patients? Anything from whole grains to soyabeans, wheat germ, green leafy vegetables and oatmeal (sources of vitamin E) to amla, guava, lemon, orange, malta, cabbage, capsicum, drumstick and green chillies (sources of vitamin C).
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
