Gastroenterologist: The Stronger the Alcohol, the Greater the Damage to the Stomach

Gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach lining, can develop not only because of specific illnesses but also as a result of everyday habits. This was explained on the TV24 programme "Ārsts atbild" ("The Doctor Answers") by gastroenterologist Ilona Vilkoite, head of the Dr. Vilkoite Stomach Clinic. She named smoking, alcohol consumption and an unbalanced diet among the risk factors.

Coffee and spicy food

Asked whether gastritis can be caused by drinking coffee or eating spicy food, the doctor said these are not the most common triggers unless consumed in excess. If a person drinks five or six cups of coffee a day, irritation of the stomach lining may follow, but a single cup should not do significant harm. According to her, coffee also has beneficial properties.

Smoking, diet and alcohol

Smoking is more harmful to the stomach. Its damaging effect is not limited to the lungs: nicotine also seriously harms the stomach lining. Poor eating habits can also have an adverse effect, including frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods and semi-finished products, as well as sweetened and carbonated drinks.

Alcohol, especially strong alcohol, is another significant factor. "The stronger the alcohol, the greater the damage to the stomach," the doctor said. She stressed that it is important to realise how daily choices affect the health of the digestive system.

How to eat

What matters is not only which foods are chosen but also how a person eats. The advice to take your time, chew food thoroughly and pay attention to the eating process seems self-evident, yet in a hectic daily life it is not always followed. The doctor recalled grandmothers' advice: sit calmly while eating, do not talk, focus on the food and chew it well. In her view, this still has to be discussed often, because eating habits are frequently far from ideal.