What Is Food Poisoning?
When you ingest contaminated, expired, or toxic food, it often leads to food poisoning, also known as foodborne illness. It is usually characterized by nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Food poisoning must be treated before it turns life-threatening. If you have had food poisoning, try the remedies listed below to accelerate your recovery.
Home Remedies To Treat Food Poisoning
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
The antibacterial properties of apple cider vinegar are very effective against foodborne pathogenic bacteria like Escherichia coli (1), (2).
1-2 tablespoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar 1 glass of warm water
Drink this 2 to 3 times daily.
2. Essential Oils
a. Oregano Oil
Oregano essential oil can work wonders in treating food poisoning. It contains compounds like carvacrol and thymol that impart excellent antimicrobial properties to it and help eliminate the pathogens responsible for food poisoning (3), (4).
1 drop of food-grade oregano oil 2 oz of water
Drink this 1 to 2 times daily until you see an improvement in the symptoms.
b. Thyme Oil
Thyme oil contains compounds like thymol, carvacrol, and linalool that have antimicrobial and antiparasitic properties (5). Hence, it can be effective against various foodborne illnesses.
1 drop of thyme oil 1 glass of water
Drink this solution 1 to 2 times daily.
3. Ginger With Honey
Ginger is a commonly used remedy for various ailments. Mice studies showed that it might be effective in supplementing the clinical treatment of E.coli diarrhea (6). Ginger can also improve the absorption of essential nutrients that can aid digestion. Raw honey exhibits antimicrobial and digestion properties that can speed up your recovery. Both ginger and honey can relieve nausea and vomiting that are the usual symptoms of foodborne illnesses (7), (8).
1 to 2 inches of sliced ginger root 1 cup of water Honey
Drink this tea at least 3 times daily until your symptoms subside.
4. Garlic
Garlic has powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties that can help destroy the foodborne pathogens (9), (10). It can also relieve diarrhea and stomach pain. 2-3 peeled garlic cloves Consume garlic at least once daily until you obtain relief.
5. Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit seed extract contains polyphenols that help inhibit the activity and growth of bacteria causing foodborne illnesses (11). These properties fight the pathogens responsible for food poisoning and aid faster recovery.
8-10 drops of grapefruit seed extract 1 glass of water
Drink this 3 times daily for 3 to 5 days.
6. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a rich source of antioxidants that improve the overall healing of your body. It exhibits exceptional bactericidal activities that can help combat the bacterial pathogens responsible for causing food poisoning (12).
1/2 lemon 1 glass of water Honey (optional)
You can drink lemon juice 2 to 3 times daily.
7. Basil
a. Basil With Honey
Basil is an herb known to kill foodborne pathogens with its excellent antimicrobial properties (13). It can also calm your stomach and reduce the symptoms associated with food poisoning.
Basil leaves Honey
Do this 3 to 4 times daily.
b. Holy Basil With Cardamom
The antimicrobial properties of holy basil (tulsi) help eliminate the microbes that cause food poisoning (14). The combination of tulsi and cardamom works wonders in alleviating vomiting and nausea.
3-4 holy basil (tulsi) leaves 1 cardamom (elaichi)
Consume this immediately after you experience the symptoms of food poisoning.
8. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant. Test-tube studies show that it can help eliminate bacteria and toxins from your body (15). Hence, its intake can help you manage the symptoms of food poisoning. If you do not want to take additional supplements, you can increase your consumption of vitamin C-rich foods 1000 mg vitamin C supplements (or as directed by your doctor) Consume 1000 mg of vitamin C supplements after consulting your doctor. You can continue taking this 3 to 4 times daily if your symptoms don’t improve after the initial treatment.
9. Bananas
Bananas form a part of the BRAT diet, which is recommended for people with diarrhea and gastroenteritis (16). They replenish the lost potassium in your body, which, in turn, re-energizes you and helps alleviate the symptoms of food poisoning. Bananas You can do this 2 to 3 times a day. Once you have succeeded in combating food poisoning using these remedies, you must be cautious about what you eat and drink. Here is a list of foods and drinks you can consume.
What To Eat After Food Poisoning
Do not eat or drink anything for a few hours after experiencing food poisoning symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. After a few hours, you can start consuming the following foods/drinks to overcome weakness:
Sports drinks that contain electrolytes to keep yourself well hydrated. However, steer clear of drinks that contain too much sugar and caffeine. Broths Bland foods that are gentle on your stomach like bananas, cereals, egg whites, and oatmeal. BRAT diet that consists of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Fermented foods like cultured vegetables and kimchi. Foods fortified with probiotics like yogurt.
Now that you know what to consume after you have experienced a bout of food poisoning, let us look at the foods/drinks that you need to avoid.
What To Avoid Eating When You Have Had Food Poisoning
Getting rid of the food that was the probable cause of food poisoning tops the list. Avoid eating or drinking anything that could be harsh on your stomach like:
Alcohol Caffeine Spicy foods Dairy products Fatty or fried foods Nicotine Seasoned and processed foods
Mild to moderate cases of food poisoning can be easily treated at home if you follow the remedies and tips discussed in this article. However, severe cases might need medical attention. Most cases of food poisoning are caused due to any of the factors listed below.
What Causes Food Poisoning?
The most common causes of food poisoning are:
Bacteria: Salmonella bacteria are the most common cause of food poisoning, especially from foods like eggs, mayonnaise, and chicken that are not properly cooked. E. coli are also known to cause food poisoning from foods like salads. Campylobacter and C. botulinum are the other bacteria that can prove to be quite lethal. Viruses: Norovirus, also known as the Norwalk virus, is responsible for over 19 million cases of food poisoning every year. Other less common viruses that can cause food poisoning are sapovirus, rotavirus, and astrovirus. Hepatitis A virus can also be transmitted via food. Parasites: Food poisoning caused by parasites is less common but can prove to be fatal. Toxoplasma gondii is the parasite most commonly associated with food poisoning, and it is found in cat litter boxes. Parasites can remain undetected for years, but in people with weak immunity, they can lead to serious side effects. Pregnant women are at an increased risk of food poisoning by parasites.
Signs And Symptoms Of Food Poisoning
Food poisoning has the following symptoms:
Abdominal pain or cramps Loss of appetite Fever Fatigue and weakness Headache
What is the best medicine for food poisoning? Most cases of food poisoning are mild and can be easily treated by using home remedies and keeping yourself hydrated. Use ginger or apple cider vinegar for quick relief. How long does food poisoning last? There are more than 250 types of food poisoning, which are caused by different factors. Hence, the duration and food poisoning recovery time depends on the cause of poisoning, the amount of contaminated food you ingested, and the severity of the symptoms. Mild cases of food poisoning usually last for a day or two. Does food poisoning give you a fever? Yes, mild fever is one of the symptoms of food poisoning. Severe cases of food poisoning are known to cause high fever. Does rice cause food poisoning? Yes, eating raw or undercooked rice containing Bacillus cereus spores may result in food poisoning. That is why it is important to serve and consume rice as soon as it is cooked. Do showers help with food poisoning? Taking a shower might help you rid your body of harmful bacteria brought on by food poisoning. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove the same. Can bread give you food poisoning? Yes, but only if the bread is contaminated with a toxic substance, bacterium, fungus, or virus that could result in food poisoning. Mold forming on the surface of bread is the first indication that it has gone bad. Depending on the spores present in the food, this mold can be green, white, or black. What is the difference between a stomach bug and food poisoning? The key distinction between a stomach bug and food poisoning is the source of infection. Viral infection often causes a stomach bug, whereas bacteria or parasites cause food poisoning. The development of symptoms is the other big difference – food poisoning can develop just hours after consuming tainted food. On the other hand, a stomach bug may develop symptoms several days after infection.
