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. According to a survey by Centres For Diseases Control And Prevention, approximately 48 million people fall sick due to foodborne diseases. About 128,000 patients require hospitalization and the annual number of deaths amounts to 3000 per year. Most of these domestically acquired foodborne diseases are caused by 31 known pathogens such as Salmonella, Norovirus, or Staphylococcus bacteria. Food poisoning must be treated before it turns life-threatening. If you have had food poisoning, try the natural treatments for food poisoning symptoms listed below to accelerate your recovery.
Home Remedies To Treat Food Poisoning
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Whether you are looking for how to get rid of indigestion or food poisoning, ACV is a popular and effective home remedy. The antibacteriali A substance that kills or prevents bacteria from growing and spreading. They can be found in the form of soaps and disinfectants also. properties of apple cider vinegar are very effective against foodborne pathogenic bacteriai A bacteria that can enter the body and cause harmful diseases. It is caused when the body’s immune system is already affected by a virus. like Escherichia coli (1), (2). On a similar note, a blogger shared how consuming it helped ease symptoms of food poisoning. In one of his blog posts, he writes, “I felt much better within 30 minutes of taking 2 spoons of apple cider vinegar (i).” He adds, “ACV [is] hard to swallow and even though I would not mind taking it straight, others might want to add honey to protect their throat if anything.”
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 antimicrobiali A substance that can kill or stop the growth of microorganisms that can lead to infections. Antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics are all types of antimicrobials 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 antiparasitici Drugs or a group of medicines used to treat parasitic diseases that are a result of infections spread by various types of parasites. properties (5). Hence, it can be an effective natural treatment for various foodborne illnesses.
1 drop of thyme oil 1 glass of water
Drink this solution 1 to 2 times daily.
3. Ginger With Honey
One of the most prevalent symptoms of food poisoning is vomiting. Ginger and honey are natural treatments for those wondering how to stop vomiting or feeling nauseous. Ginger is a commonly used home remedy for digestive issues and 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 which 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 polyphenolsi Naturally occurring compounds in plants, vegetables, and flowers that are healthy and filled with antioxidants. that help inhibit the activity and growth of bacteria causing foodborne illnesses (11). These properties fight the pathogens responsible for food poisoning and aid in faster recovery. This home remedy for bacterial infection works like a charm.
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. The combination of basil and honey is one of the best home remedies for an upset stomach.
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, one of the home treatments for nausea and vomiting as well as diarrhea work wonders in alleviating them.
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 are popular home remedies for gastroenteritis and diarrhea. They form a part of the BRAT diet, which is recommended for people struggling with these ailments (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 contain electrolytes to keep you well-hydrated. However, steer clear of drinks that contain too much sugar and caffeine. Opt for natural remedies for electrolyte imbalance. 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 which foods to eat after 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. One should avoid eating or drinking anything that could be harsh on the stomach. List of foods to avoid after food poisoning includes:
Alcohol Caffeine Spicy foods Dairy products Fatty or fried foods Nicotinei An addictive substance found in the tobacco plant that causes a rush of endorphins and increases the level of dopamine. 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
However, these symptoms are common in stomach flu, also caused by viruses. Learn about the differences between food poisoning and a stomach flu, in the next section.
Food Poisoning Vs. Stomach Flu
Food poisoning is caused by consuming contaminated food or water, often due to harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Its onset is usually rapid (a few hours) and linked to the specific food consumed. A stomach flu, or viral gastroenteritis, is an infection caused by viruses such as norovirus or rotavirus (17), (18). It takes from 24-72 hours to show any symptoms. Both share similar symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. You mqy recover from the flu in 2-5 days while food poisoning is resolved 24-48 hours after its onset (18), (19). 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.
Illustration: Home Remedies For Food Poisoning + Causes And Prevention
Check out the video below and learn how to treat food poisoning with simple home remedies! Get tips on how to quickly and safely recover from food poisoning without much hassle.
