BRAT Diet
BRAT, the short form for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast is a common diet used to improve symptoms of diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
BRAT’s diet finds relevance in diarrhea because of the low fiber constituents of its components. The diet helps resolve the symptoms of diarrhea in three ways.
- Helps to bulk stool. They are high in soluble fibers, which absorb water from the intestine to delay stomach emptying.
- Gentle on the stomach. They have low fat and protein, therefore, are unlikely to irritate the stomach.
- Reduced nausea due to blandness and lack of smell.
Its effectiveness in treating diarrhea hasn’t been proven in clinical trials, however, a few pieces of evidence suggest BRAT’s diet is promising. For instance, this study listed rice and bananas among the foods that improved symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
Another study established the effectiveness of rice soup regimen in treating acute diarrhea in children. The authors concluded that rice soup, in combination with glucose oral rehydration solution, works fine.
But the BRAT diet is losing its popularity among clinicians because it lacks vital nutrients and may precipitate malnutrition. It’s not ideal as a standalone measure and it’s best taken for 1 or 2 days. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
Probiotic-rich Foods
Probiotics or beneficial bacteria may shorten the course of diarrhea. In diarrhea, they assist by releasing toxins that kill the harmful bacteria.
Probiotics relevant in diarrhea include Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus GGand Saccharomyces boulardii.
A 2014 research concluded that S. boulardii was beneficial in children with acute diarrhea. Still, the best dosage in different cases is subject to further research.
Good sources of probiotics are:
- Natural yogurt
- Fermented vegetables
- Kombucha
- Miso soup [8]
