Study on Helicobacter pylori and Antioxidants

A new study published in BMC Gastroenterology suggests that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection may be less likely if nutrients with antioxidant properties are consumed in the right amounts.

Introduction

Gram-negative, microaerophilic, spiral-shaped Helicobacter pylori replicates in the stomach epithelial layer and spreads either directly (oral-oral) or indirectly (fecal-oral) from one person to another. Nutrition is one of the key risk factors for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. A well-balanced diet rich in antioxidants may offer protection against the symptoms of this virus. The goal of the current study by Zohreh Ebrahimi and colleagues was focused to look into the relationship between the risk of infection with H. pylori in adults and the dietary antioxidant index.

Methodology

The food consumption of individuals with H. pylori infection was compared to that of healthy people in a case-control study. Utilizing dietary intakes obtained from a validated food frequency questionnaire, the dietary antioxidant index (DAI) was computed (FFQ). A similar questionnaire was used to gather demographic data, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was utilized to quantify physical activity. The relationship between the DAI and risk of H. pylori infection was assessed using logistic regression models. The significance threshold was set at P<0.05.

Key Findings

• After 148 patients and 302 controls' dietary information was examined, it was shown that controls' average total DAI was substantially greater (7.67) than cases' average total DAI (3.57) (P < 0.001).
• Participants with DAI levels below the median had a higher chance of developing H. pylori after controlling for confounders (adjusted OR 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02-1.12, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

In conclusion, according to this case-control study, there is a negative correlation between greater DAI and the risk of pylori infection. To validate these findings, more in-depth research is required.

Reference

Ebrahimi, Z., Masoodi, M., Aslani, Z., Naghshi, S., Khalighi Sikaroudi, M., & Shidfar, F. (2022). Association between dietary antioxidant index and risk of Helicobacter pylori infection among adults: a case–control study. In BMC Gastroenterology (Vol. 22, Issue 1). Springer Science and Business Media LLC. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-022-02488-3