Frontiers: A Diverse Diet May Reduce the Risk of Peptic Ulcers in Older Adults
16:20 27 October, 2026A varied diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and both plant- and animal-based protein may reduce the risk of developing peptic ulcers by 24% in people over the age of 65. This is the conclusion reached by Chinese researchers from Changzhi Medical College after analyzing data from more than 13,000 people. The findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.
The researchers examined data from 13,274 people collected between 2008 and 2018. At the beginning of the study, none of the participants had peptic ulcer disease. Dietary diversity was assessed based on the presence of nine food groups in their diets: fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, legumes, nuts, dairy products and tea.
The analysis showed that a more varied diet was associated with a lower likelihood of developing the condition. Each additional point on the dietary diversity scale corresponded to an approximately 5.6% reduction in risk.
The association remained after the researchers accounted for other factors, including participants’ age, lifestyle and health status. However, the effect was not consistent throughout the study. The association was strongest during the first few years of follow-up; later, the researchers could no longer confirm it statistically. This does not necessarily mean that the protective effect of a healthy diet disappears after three years.
The authors suggest that dietary diversity is reliably associated with a lower risk of peptic ulcer disease primarily in the short term. However, the study identified a statistical association and does not prove that dietary diversity itself prevents the condition.