Background: Despite the fact that the main cause of duodenal ulcer incidence and recurrence is the Helicobacter pylori bacterium, more than 80% of Helicobacter pylori-infected people never develop an ulcer. Diet may be one of the most important environmental factors contributing to duodenal ulcer.
Aims: To explore the role of diet in causation, treatment and prevention of duodenal ulcer recurrence.
Methods: All research papers published in English from 1966 to October 1999 present in Medline, involving human subjects, and having duodenal ulcer as outcome, entered the review.
Results and conclusions: Soluble fibre from fruit and vegetables seem to be protective against duodenal ulcer and refined sugars a risk factor. The role of fibre in the treatment and prevention of recurrence of duodenal ulcer is uncertain, as is that of essential fatty acids. However, none of the epidemiological studies on the relationship between diet and duodenal ulcer disease controlled for Helicobacter pylori.