Fact Check: Claim of buttermilk with spice mixture healing ulcers in one week is misleading

A video on Instagram claims that stomach ulcers can be cured within a week. The video, in Tamil, recommends drinking buttermilk with cumin powder, ajwain powder, Asafoetida and pink salt thrice a day before food for people with severe ulcers and twice a day for others.

Fact Check

NewsMeter found that the claim is misleading.

The major cause for stomach ulcers or peptic ulcers is airborne bacteria H pylori while other reasons include long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The ulcers generally affect the stomach and small intestine.

A reduction in the stomach’s protective layer, mucus leads to the formation of stomach ulcers, which exposes the stomach lining to the corrosive effects of digestive acids resulting in the ulcers.

The video also claims that the cumin powder eliminates H pylori bacteria, ajwain powder helps in improving digestion, Asafoetida cures injuries in food pipe and pink salt reduces stomach pain.

Dr Kavya Dendukuri, lead hepatologist and gastrologist at Kamineni Hospitals rejects the claims made in the video. “The mixture curing ulcers within a week is impossible. Antibiotics for 14 days are required to eliminate the H pylori bacteria,” she said.

Awareness about lactose intolerance is less

Buttermilk along with other ingredients has probiotic properties, but not all people are unaware of the symptoms of intolerance to milk and milk products.

“There is a lack of awareness about the intolerance of people to milk and milk products. Those who are intolerant would feel bloating, mild discomfort, feel fullness, diarrhoea and constipation,” Dr Kavya said.

Drinking buttermilk increases the good bacteria in the stomach which in turn increases immunity.

Dr Kavya added: “Buttermilk is a coolant and has a high pH value. It acts as a coating on the stomach line and brings only temporary relief. It may reduce burning sensation and reflux symptoms, but it doesn’t have any ulcer-curing capacity.”