“Eat until your heart is literally content” – this is a well-known quote used by most of the foodies out there. Going out just to eat food can improve our mood and makes most of us happy. In fact, who doesn’t like to go out, eat those spicy and delicious street foods or try out varieties from a restaurant? But sometimes, eating too much can bite us back as it can cause food poisoning.
Food poisoning is a common problem, but sometimes it can take a toll on your health and put your life at risk. It is not always necessary to visit a hospital and treat food poisoning with medications as they have many side effects. Go for basic home remedies that can treat food poisoning naturally.
Table of Contents
- What is Food Poisoning?
- Causes of Food Poisoning
- Signs and Symptoms of Food Poisoning
- Home Remedies for Food Poisoning
- Foods to Avoid if You Have Food Poisoning
What is Food Poisoning?
Food poisoning is an illness resulting from taking contaminated food. The signs and symptoms of food poisoning start to show up after a few hours or maybe two or three days after getting affected. However, it usually takes around 1 to 5 days for a patient to get fully recovered from food poisoning. Young children, pregnant women, and people who lack immunity belong to the higher risk category of becoming ill due to food poisoning.
Causes of Food Poisoning
The main causes of food poisoning are viruses, bacterias, and parasites. Food poisoning caused by bacteria is the most common and that caused by parasite is much rare. E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonellacome are some of the common bacteria that cause food poisoning.
Foodborne microbes are present in almost all the foods that we eat, especially meat, eggs, and dairy products. They get contaminated during the time of slaughtering. Foods that can be eaten raw such as fresh fruits and vegetables are also other sources of food poisoning. This is because they do not go through proper cooking progress. Another reason for food contamination is when food comes in contact with the organisms in faecal matter.
Signs and Symptoms of Food Poisoning
The signs and symptoms of food poisoning vary with the source of contamination. However, the most common symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Nausea
- Abdominal pains and cramps
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Dehydration
Talk to a doctor if you have the severe symptoms of food poisoning as mentioned below. It is okay if you are too sick to visit a hospital, you can consult a doctor online and seek medical advice.
- High fever (temperature over 102 degrees F)
- Diarrhoea that lasts more than two days
- Frequent vomiting
- Bloody stools
Home Remedies for Food Poisoning
Try following these home remedies that help to cure food poisoning:
1. Lemon
The anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties of lemon makes it an effective remedy to get rid of food poisoning. The acidic nature of lemon helps in killing the bacteria that cause food poisoning. Add a pinch of sugar or honey to lemon juice and drink it twice or thrice a day. You can also squeeze lemon into warm water to clean out your system.
2. Apple cider vinegar
Known for its antibacterial properties, apple cider vinegar acts as an effective remedy to treat food poisoning. It calms down your gastrointestinal lining and kills the bacteria, thereby giving you instant relief. In a glass of water, add two or three tablespoons of unfiltered apple cider vinegar. It helps to stabilize your body while recuperating from the symptoms of food poisoning.
3. Garlic
This ancient home remedy is excellent in fighting against food poisoning due to it’s antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. It is one among the highly nutritious and detox foods. To get instant relief from the symptoms of food poisoning, crush a garlic clove, mix it with a teaspoon of honey, and consume it. You can also chew one fresh garlic clove and swallow it with water.
4. Cumin
This flavorful herb has the superpower to ease stomach inflammation and abdominal discomfort, the major symptoms of food poisoning. Add a teaspoon of cumin seeds into boiling water. Then, mix a teaspoon of coriander juice and a bit of salt into it. Drink this mixture twice a day.
5. Holy basil
Due to its antimicrobial properties, holy basil proves to be an effective home remedy it curing the discomfort caused by food poisoning. Crush few basil leaves and extract it’s juice. Add a teaspoon of honey, mix it well, and consume it immediately. Apart from this method, you can also add some basil leaves, a pinch of black pepper, and some sea salt to three tablespoons of yoghurt. Eat this three or four times a day until you get relief from the symptoms of food poisoning.
6. Ginger
Ginger is an excellent natural remedy that treats all kinds of digestive problems, including food poisoning. It improves absorption as well as assimilation of the essential nutrients that help in the process of digestion. It relieves nausea and vomiting, the main symptoms of food poisoning. For this, prepare ginger tea by boiling a cup of water along with a teaspoon of grated ginger. Add some sugar into this and drink the mixture.
Along with these natural remedies, it is very important to stay hydrated. This is because, due to food poisoning symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea, a person loses water. It is natural that you don’t feel like drinking water but taking it then and now will keep you hydrated. Apart from drinking water, it is also necessary to eat foods that are gentle on your stomach when you are affected by food poisoning.
Eat these foods that help in easy digestion:
- Bananas
- Rice
- Oatmeal
- Chicken broth
- Bland potatoes
- Boiled vegetables
Oatmeal is one of the best breakfast foods for a healthy digestive system. So, try having oatmeal for breakfast when your stomach is upset or have symptoms of food poisoning. Also, there are many yoga poses that help to ease digestion. ‘Camel Pose’ and ‘Cow pose’ are simple yoga poses after dinner that can improve digestion.
Foods to Avoid if You Have Food Poisoning
It is always better to avoid these foods and drinks that trigger food poisoning symptoms. Avoid anything that could make your stomach upset.
- Spicy foods
- Dairy products
- Fried foods
- Nicotine
- Processed foods
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
Always make sure to clean your hands especially, while cooking as well as eating. Seal and store your food properly. Food poisoning can sometimes be a greater annoyance if not treated well. If you are still experiencing food poisoning symptoms even after following all the remedies mentioned in this article, you should immediately consult a doctor. Don’t wait, book an appointment and consult a doctor online.
