Diet For Candidiasis - What Does It Include?

Alexander Bruni
Author: Alexander Bruni Time for reading: ~4 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022
Diet For Candidiasis - What Does It Include?

The candidiasis diet is a strict diet that eliminates sugar, gluten, alcohol and some dairy products.

Candida ( Candida ) is the most common fungus in the body and can be found in areas such as the mouth, skin, digestive tract, toenails, rectum and vagina. It is generally a harmless microorganism, but overgrowth of this fungus can lead to infection. The candida diet is designed to relieve the symptoms of the infection, but its effectiveness may be questionable in different patients.

What is Candida?


Candida is a genus of fungi that uses the human body as a host . More than 150 known species of Candida live in different parts of the body. These fungi support digestion and absorption of nutrients. Possible symptoms of a candida infection include:


  • Nausea;
  • Swelling of the abdomen, constipation or diarrhea;
  • Chronic fatigue;
  • Skin problems such as eczema or rashes;
  • Recurrent urinary tract infections;
  • Irritability and mood swings;
  • Anxiety or depression;
  • Joint pain

Despite the large number of Candida species in the body, only 15 of them can cause infection. Candida albicans is the most common culprit for infection, accounting for more than half of all cases.

What are the risk factors for candida infection?


There are several risk factors for candidiasis, which include:

  • A diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugar;
  • High alcohol consumption;
  • Increased stress levels;
  • Imbalance in the microbiota (intestinal microflora);
  • Improper use of catheters;
  • Birth control pills or antibiotics;
  • Diabetes;
  • Weak immune system

This diet excludes the consumption of sugar , gluten, alcohol, certain dairy products and harmful additives, while encouraging the consumption of low-sugar fruits (such as lemons, raspberries and blueberries), non-starchy (lower starch) vegetables ( such as lettuce, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, spinach, onions, peppers) and gluten-free foods.


The diet excludes gluten due to claims that it can damage the intestinal mucosa. However, there is no evidence that gluten causes intestinal damage in people who do not have gluten intolerance.


High sugar intake can worsen candida infections in people with weakened immune systems . A high-carbohydrate diet may increase the number of fungi in some people, but there is no evidence that it increases the risk of infection.


The diet also excludes some dairy products , because in theory lactose can stimulate the growth of Candida by increasing the acidity in the mouth.


Foods with artificial additives , with the presence of molds, preservatives and pesticides are also excluded from the diet.


A diet is designed to reduce inflammation by including healthy foods that can support the gut and reduce the risk of candidiasis over time. However, there is still no solid scientific evidence to fully confirm the effectiveness of the diet. This diet is intended for short-term use until the symptoms of candidiasis improve.


Which foods are included and which are excluded from the diet for candidiasis?

Foods that are included in the diet for candidiasis

  • Fruits with low sugar content - can be consumed in small quantities;
  • Starchy vegetables - best if eaten raw or steamed;
  • Gluten-free cereals - millet, quinoa, oat bran and buckwheat.
  • High quality protein - chicken, eggs, salmon, turkey and sardines;
  • Healthy fats: avocado, olives, unrefined coconut oil, linseed oil, extra virgin olive oil and sesame oil.
  • Certain dairy products - butter, organic kefir or plain yogurt;
  • Nuts and seeds - almonds, sunflower seeds, coconut or flax seeds.
  • Herbs and spices - black pepper, salt, cinnamon, dill, garlic, ginger, oregano, rosemary, paprika, turmeric and thyme;
  • Sugar-free sweeteners - stevia, erythritol and xylitol;
  • Decaffeinated beverages - herbal teas, chicory coffee, filtered water, homemade almond milk, coconut milk (without additives) and water infused with lemon or lime.

In addition, probiotics can help relieve inflammation, kill pests and reduce the spread of candidiasis symptoms.

Foods to avoid in candidiasis


The candidiasis diet is a strict diet that eliminates sugar, gluten, alcohol and some dairy products. Proponents of the diet believe that these foods promote candida overgrowth.


Avoiding these foods has not been scientifically proven to be effective against candida infections. However, research suggests that excessive sugar intake can worsen infections .

  • Fruits with high sugar content - bananas, dates, raisins, grapes and mangoes;
  • Cereals that contain gluten - wheat, rye, barley and einkorn.
  • Refined oils and fats: canola oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil or margarine;
  • Ketchup, soy sauce, white vinegar, barbecue sauce, horseradish or mayonnaise;
  • Some dairy products, cheese and cream;
  • Sugar and artificial sweeteners - aspartame, agave, corn syrup, honey, maple syrup, molasses and table sugar;
  • Nuts and seeds such as peanuts, cashews, pecans and pistachios;
  • Caffeine, alcohol and sugar beverages - caffeinated teas, coffee, energy drinks, soda, fruit juice, beer, wine or spirits;
  • Nitrates or sulphates

The diet consists of foods that can also be beneficial for weight loss , heart health, bowel function and reducing inflammation in the body.

 

The diet also focuses on eliminating foods containing sugar, which are associated with obesity , diabetes, heart disease and metabolic syndrome. A diet like this can be beneficial for everyone - even for those people who do not suffer from candidiasis.

 

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