It is never fun, but at some point, we all have to deal with an upset stomach. Unfortunately, there’s not always a one size fits all cure.
Start with these natural remedies to see what works best for you. At VINA, we know that everyone has unique health needs and unique taste buds. The treatment should be as unique as the person.
Food That Settles Your Stomach
Sometimes, we lose a lot of nutrients when our stomachs are upset. It’s important to know which foods we can eat to replenish the nutrients lost. In general, it is best to start with simple foods to see what your body can handle.
Brat Diet
The BRAT diet is a common recommendation for people with upset stomachs. BRAT is an acronym that stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. These foods are all bland and starchy, which means they will not irritate the stomach and will create firmer stools.
The potassium and magnesium found in this diet are important for people who have been sick. A lot of nutrients are lost when we vomit or have diarrhea, so eating these foods can help reintroduce them.
Peppermint
Peppermint is a common remedy for nausea. Peppermint leaves contain menthol, which soothes discomfort in many ways.
There are different ways to utilize peppermint. You can brew peppermint tea. Sniffing a peppermint extract might even have a strong effect. You can also chew on peppermint candy or peppermint leaves.
Special Spices
Spices are a game-changer when it comes to our food. It can transform something bland into something exciting. Spices are also a game-changer for our health. Spices affect how our bodies break down food and absorb nutrients.
Ginger
Some claim that ginger is equally as effective as anti-nausea medication. There are a few different ways that ginger can calm an upset stomach.
- Speeds stomach emptying
- Supports the release of hormones that regulate blood pressure
Ginger has been studied among certain populations to see its impact on decreasing nausea. It has been used to help pregnant women, cancer patients, and those with motion sickness.
Ginger can be used to help these people in a variety of sources.
- Essential oils
- Supplements
- Brewed tea
- Candies
Cumin
Cumin grows in China, India, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean region. It adds great flavor to our food, but not everyone realizes it also has many health benefits.
Cumin has long been used to treat diarrhea in Eastern medicine. Recently Western medicine has begun to research its positive effects as well.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a versatile spice that you can add to both savory and sweet foods. It has been used to help women suffering from morning sickness.
Cinnamon is also a great addition to your diet if you suffer from gas or diarrhea. Cinnamon has prebiotic properties that support gut health.
Drinks for an Upset Stomach
Staying hydrated is an important way to maintain gut health. Taking simple steps like drinking a cup of water before and after a meal will aid digestion. Drinking enough can also ensure that your body is able to absorb nutrients.
Besides water, different drinks have unique health properties to help an upset stomach.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is used to relax. This light, soothing tea comes from flowers that look similar to daisies. It can have a positive impact on those suffering from motion sickness, nausea, diarrhea, gas, or indigestion.
Bitters and Soda
There is a lot of powerful anecdotal evidence that bitters and soda are effective in treating an upset stomach. Bitters are likely effective because they often contain cinnamon, fennel, mint, and ginger.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a type of traditional Chinese medicine. Small, thin needles are inserted into specific points on a person’s body. These points stimulate nerves, muscles, or connective tissue.
There is anecdotal evidence that acupuncture reduces stress and improves digestive health.
Acupressure is a similar process based on acupuncture. Acupressure does not use needles. It simply puts pressure on specific points throughout the body. This process helps to improve blood circulation and release tension in muscles, and it might help relieve an upset stomach.
Other Top Tips for Handling an Upset Stomach
There are some basic tricks anyone can use to help calm an upset stomach. The warmth of a heating pad can be quite soothing. It can calm and relax any tight muscles in the stomach and reduce nausea.
It is very tempting to lay down when we are sick. However, laying down with an upset stomach might not be the best idea, because the acid in the stomach will move up and down, causing heartburn. If you need to lay down, make sure you keep your head elevated at about 30 degrees.
It’s also important to avoid foods that are difficult to digest. This includes fried and fatty food, creamy and rich foods, and overly salty foods.
Promoting a Healthy Gut
Sometimes, it is better to be preventative than always to be reacting to issues in our bodies. At VINA, we have created a beverage that is delicious but also full of health benefits. Our prebiotic soda is:
- Certified organic
- Filled with brain supporting minerals
- Competitively priced
- Contains added fiber
- Infused with apple cider vinegar
Probiotic drinks like kombucha have become increasingly popular due to their reported health benefits, and prebiotics can make these even more effective.
Probiotic drinks supplement the healthy bacteria in our guts. There are a variety of good bacteria in our guts that help us digest food, balance the bad bacteria, and prevent bad bacteria from entering the bloodstream.
Prebiotic drinks are different from probiotic drinks. Prebiotics are a type of fiber that acts as food for gut bacteria. Prebiotics are very effective when used in conjunction with probiotics.
Taking One Step
An upset stomach is never fun. There can be different reasons for an upset stomach, so there need to be different solutions.
Take preventative measures and build a healthy gut through things like prebiotics and probiotics. Don’t be afraid to try out different options to see what helps.
Sources:
Prebiotics vs. Probiotics: Can You Take Them Together? | Healthline
Upset Stomach: 7 Natural Remedies | Healthline
21 home and natural remedies for upset stomach and indigestion | Medical News Today
Tea for an Upset Stomach: 9 Types to Try | Healthline
Ginger for Nausea: Effectiveness, Safety, and Uses | Healthline
