Mar 19-25 National Poison Prevention Week

Treating Food Poisoning Naturally.

Author Racheal Frances

Food poisoning is caused primarily by improper and unhygienic handling of food—which can breed and spread harmful bacteria. Many thousands of cases of supposed flu are actually food poisoning cases demonstrating similar symptoms like abdominal pain and fever.

Disease-causing bacteria are most commonly found in meats, seafood and dairy products, though we have also seen outbreaks of contamination in lettuce, melons, and other fruits and vegetables, as well as a limited number of packaged and prepared foods. Experts believe that disease-causing bacteria can never be fully eradicated from the food chain, and there is widespread agreement that bacterial food contamination is on the rise—representing a major threat to public health.

When you are suffering from food poisoning, your body is likely to lose more water than normal.   Hence, consuming a good intake of fluids and avoiding solid food becomes the initial plan of action.  Rather than rushing to your doctor immediately, you can start your treatment at home with some readily ingredients that could be found in your own kitchen. Fortunately, there are fast-acting home remedies that can stop a bout of food poisoning in its tracks.

1. Ginger



For thousands of years, ginger has been used for the treatment of innumerable ailments due to its powerful therapeutic and preventive effects. Ginger improves absorption and assimilation of essential nutrients and aids in digestion. Hence, it works as a quick remedy for nausea and vomiting, thereby giving you instant relief.

To use this remedy, make some Ginger Tea by boiling one teaspoon grated ginger with a cup of water for a few minutes, add a little sugar or honey to it for sweetness.

Another option is to add a few drops of ginger juice to one teaspoon of honey and swallow it several times a day to reduce inflammation and pain.

Quick Tip: You can also eat raw ginger slices as an option.

World Kidney Day 8 March

The Benefits of Ginger to Kidney Function

Ginger is a nutrient-rich spice widely eaten fresh and as a ground powder. It’s commonly used in herbal medicine as well. The slightly sweet, warm and citrus-like flavor adds a unique taste to everything from soups to tea, and it’s loaded with nutrients your body uses to maintain health, including kidney health. Ginger's nutritional profile makes it an excellent addition to your diet.

Diet Influences Kidney Health

Your overall diet plays a vital role in keeping you healthy and keeping your organs, including your kidneys, functioning properly. A nutritious diet reduces your risk for kidney malfunction. On the flip side, making poor food choices significantly increases the risk that you will develop kidney disease in the future, warns a study the American Journal of Kidney Disease published in 2013.

If you have kidney disease, following a nutritious diet that supports kidney function is well known to help slow, or in some cases even halt, the decline in kidney function.

Packed With Antioxidants

Most South Africans fail to eat enough fruits and vegetables, causing them to miss out on some antioxidant benefits. Incorporating ginger into your diet is a simple and convenient way to boost your antioxidant intake, but it shouldn’t replace the recommended 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables you need each day.

The antioxidants in ginger and other fruits and vegetables help neutralize unstable molecules known as free radicals. These molecules cause inflammation and damage to cells and tissues, including your kidneys, when your antioxidant intake is insufficient. Eating a diet too low in antioxidants increases oxidative stress in patients with kidney disease, reported the Journal of Renal Nutrition in 2012. The researchers concluded that it may be helpful to increase your antioxidant intake if you have kidney disease, since oxidative stress has a negative impact on kidney function.

Lowers Blood Sugar

High blood sugar levels damage your blood vessels and organs. Your kidneys are particularly at risk when blood glucose remains elevated. For this reason, kidney damage is a significant risk factor if you have diabetes.

Powdered ginger can improve blood sugar control, according to a study published in the Iran Journal of Pharmaceutical Research in 2015. Supplementing ginger significantly lowers fasting blood sugar and improves A1C -- a measurement of long-term glucose control -- in people with type 2 diabetes, according to the results. Ginger may also help reduce the risk of diabetes complications, such as kidney damage, researchers concluded.

Thank you to Janet Renee for posting the above information related to Ginger and Kidney Health.