Nutrients and probiotics: current trends in their use to eradicate Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori is a well-known bacterium that infects the human gastric mucosa and causes gastric inflammation, ultimately resulting in gastric cancer. To reduce the incidence of gastric cancer, eradication therapy is important. However, the rate of successful eradication gradually decreases due to increased antibiotic resistance to Helicobacter pylori. In order to increase the eradication rate and reduce gastric cancer incidence, food factors or probiotics are expected to play a beneficial role. Although several foods have been reported to inhibit bacterial load and gastric inflammation, further assessment on large population prospective studies in this field is warranted. Several food compounds, including phytochemicals, are reported to suppress the incidence of gastric cancer. Future evaluations should consider differences in geographic factors. Probiotics are effective and safe for use in Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy.