What should you eat during and after taking antibiotics?
You might know of antibiotics, which help your immune system fight against bacterial infections. But you may not know that trillions of bacteria and other microorganisms already exist in your gut. These tiny microorganisms are known as your microbiome.
Note that not all bacteria are harmful, so when Antibiotics are used, many of them get killed with the harmful ones. Thus, the use of antibiotics can also disturb the balance of the microbiome.
The gut microbiome helps with digestion and supports the immune system against viruses. However, side effects like nausea or diarrhoea may occur when antibiotics disturb this balance. Using probiotics and Prebiotics during and after antibiotics can help restore this balance.
This article will tell you what to eat during and after an antibiotic treatment. Read on to learn more.
Probiotics:
Probiotics are live microorganisms, often called "good or healthy bacteria." They can help reduce antibiotic-related side effects such as diarrhoea and bloating. However, research about probiotics and antibiotics has yet to reach firm conclusions. Studies suggest that probiotics are safe and may help prevent antibiotic-related diarrhoea.
Note that Antibiotics may kill the beneficial bacteria present in probiotics. Taking the probiotics two or three hours apart from taking antibiotics is best.
After completing your antibiotic treatment, there's a promising solution. You can take a mixture of probiotics to restore your helpful microbiome and bring balance back to your body.
Prebiotics
Prebiotics are food that benefits bacteria that live in your gut, known as the microbiome.
Feeding the microbiome before and after taking antibiotics may help you maintain your balance in the gut. Here are some foods that contain low levels of Prebiotics that may be used during antibiotic use:
- Garlic
- Onions
- Chicory root
- Bananas
- Jerusalem artichokes
Manufacturers also add Prebiotics in certain food items like:
- Bread
- Yogurt
- Cereals
- Infant formula
Also, Prebiotics are available as labelled products like:
- galactooligosaccharides, or GOS
- oligofructose, or OF
- fructooligosaccharides, or FOS
- inulin
- chicory fibre
It's important to note that most Prebiotics are types of dietary fibre, and you should use them in moderation. For example, if someone eats a lot of them, they might get gas or feel bloated.
When considering adding Prebiotics to your diet, starting slowly is essential. This gradual approach allows your gut to adjust, ensuring a smooth transition.
Fermented foods
Fermented foods are among the best choices for restoring beneficial bacteria. All fermented foods contain live microorganisms, which may be killed by heat or filtration.
While some fermented vegetables like pickles or sauerkraut in jars and stored at room temperature may not include live cultures.
Microorganisms may not survive baking processes and are absent in foods like sourdough bread.
However, food items containing these organisms often have "live and active cultures" and are available as labelled products.
Some of the fermented foods include:
- Yogurt
- Miso
- Traditional salami
- Fresh and sour dill pickles
- Tempeh
- Some cheeses
Vitamin K
Antibiotics fight all kinds of bacteria. When they kill the bacteria, they help make the body full and essential. Some bacteria are produced by vitamin K, which is vital for the body to cause blood clots.
So, to reduce the impact of antibiotics on Vitamin K levels, you may consume food items like:
- Swiss chard
- Kale
- Parsley
- Brussels sprouts
- Turnip greens
- Mustard greens
- Spinach
- Collards
Fiber
Fiber may help stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut. However, people should avoid using high-fiber food during antibiotic treatment, as it can affect how your stomach absorbs the medicine.
So, once you finish your entire course of antibiotic treatment, you can eat fiber-containing food items to restore beneficial bacteria. By improving the balance of your microbiome, you can promote proper digestion and prevent the side effects of antibiotics.
Food items that you may consume to obtain fiber include:
- Beans
- Bananas
- Berries
- Peas
- Nuts
- Whole grains
- Artichokes
- Broccoli
Foods to avoid while taking antibiotics
Certain foods may interact with antibiotics, interfering with their effectiveness and working.
Grapefruit is one of them, which may stop the body from breaking down and adequately absorbing the medicine. According to some research, foods fortified with high doses of calcium, such as orange juice, affect the absorption of certain antibiotics.
So, avoiding using grapefruit or orange juice during the antibiotic treatment would be best.
Alcohol and Antibiotics:
Using alcohol with certain medications is unsafe, and the same goes for antibiotics. In most cases, moderate drinking of alcohol while taking some of the antibiotics might interfere with their working. However, with some antibiotics, using alcohol can cause a risk of side effects.
Doctors generally advise to avoid the use of alcohol while taking the following antibiotics:
- Metronidazole
- Tinidazole
Drinking alcohol while taking the above-listed antibiotics can lead to severe reactions like:
- Abdominal pain
- Hot flashes
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Drowsiness
- Headaches
People should avoid alcohol for 48 hours after taking metronidazole and for 72 hours after finishing tinidazole.
Final Lines:
Antibiotics are helpful medications that treat certain bacterial infections and keep you healthy. However, while treating a disease, antibiotics kill the beneficial bacteria in your gut. Killing beneficial bacteria may lead to side effects like nausea and diarrhoea during antibiotics. Thus, to support your gut health during and after antibiotic treatment, it's essential to consider using certain food items to restore beneficial bacteria. You can use probiotics, Prebiotics, and fermented foods to improve your gut health. Also, you can consume vitamin K-rich foods and fiber after antibiotic treatment.
Note that you should avoid grapefruit and alcohol while taking antibiotics, as they may interfere with the medicine's effectiveness and increase the risk of unwanted side effects. Furthermore, consult your doctor to determine what is best to eat during and after an antibiotic treatment.
