Chikungunya Diet: Best Foods For Better Recovery From Chikungunya

Chikungunya is a virus which is transmitted from mosquitoes to humans. In India, chikungunya affects a huge population every year. The symptoms of chikungunya generally include fever, muscle pain, joint pain, rash, swelling around joints, headache, nausea and tiredness. These symptoms may appear after 2 to 7 days after being bitten by the mosquito. Most people usually recover from chikungunya 7 to 10 days after noticing the symptoms. But a person may experience joint pain for almost a month or more. Medications are given to control the symptoms of chikungunya. If you are experiencing symptoms of chikungunya you must consult a doctor and get yourself tested on time. Along with the medications your diet can also influence your progress. Foods which can boost your immunity naturally can speed up the treatment. Here are some foods which can help you fight chikungunya effectively.

Best foods to get relief from chikungunya

Senior dietician, Edwina Raj suggests, "Adequate fluids are necessary during viral infection to replenish fluids lost while sweating and reduce the rate of infection. Some of them may include homemade soups, barley water, buttermilk/curd, lemon water and tender coconut water. Anti-inflammatory omega-3 rich foods such as chia seeds, fish, almonds or walnuts can be used in bland soft food preparation. Also, immunity boosting foods such as amla, kiwi, pomegranate, papaya, basil/tulsi, ginger, oranges, sweet lime and guava are some of the best options."

Also read: Doctors Advise Rest, Fluid Intake For Chikungunya

1. Coconut water

Coconut water is refreshing and keeps you hydrated for long. It can be consumed many times a day. Coconut water is healthy and can help you flush toxins. It will also help in detoxification. You can squeeze some lemon in coconut water to enhance its taste.

Also read: Tips To Prevent Dengue: Dengue And Chikungunya On A Steady Rise

2. Foods rich in vitamin C

The better the immunity is the stronger your body becomes to fight diseases. Vitamin C rich foods are considered as the best foods to boost immunity. Citric foods are rich in vitamin C. You can eat oranges, kiwis, guavas and add more lemon to your diet.

3. Giloy juice

Giloy juice is beneficial for both dengue and chikungunya. It can give relief from fever. You can add few drops of giloy juice to water and consume it twice a day but do not overconsume it. You can also extract giloy juice from it stems by boiling them in water.

Also read: This New Vaccine Shows Promise Against Widespread Chikungunya Disease

4. Leafy vegetables

Green leafy vegetables are one of the healthiest vegetables which you can add to your diet. Leafy green are loaded with nutrients which can make it easier to control the symptoms of chikungunya.

5. Liquids

Liquids are the best option which can be included in your diet to recover from chikungunya. You can add liquids other than water and coconut water to your diet like soups, dal or foods with more gravy.

(Edwina Raj is a Senior Dietician at Aster CMI Hospital)

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.