Malaria is on the rise after the recent flood and heavy rains in Pakistan. Many people are getting affected every day both in urban and rural areas of the country. A healthy diet can help in faster recovery from malaria and prevent its complications.
Check out the five best fruits for malaria patients that can promote healing and lead to a quicker recovery from this disease in this health blog.
Which fruit is Good for Malaria Patient
Fruits contain important vitamins and minerals like vitamins C, A, E, and several antioxidants. Most of them are considered functional foods which indicates that they can help in the treatment of various diseases and infections.
Diseases like malaria can lower the body’s immunity and cause delays in recovery. So, it is highly recommended to consume fruits and vegetables during this condition.
“Supplementation, mainly with vitamins A and D, is advantageous. This provides a potential and beneficial strategy for the prophylactic application of vitamins and the prevention of malaria,” says research conducted in May 2022.
Here is a list of five fruits that can help in the treatment and faster recovery of malaria:
1. Apples
Diarrhea is quite common in malaria and apples can be helpful for that. They include pectin, which aids in the treatment of diarrhea and constipation by bulking up the stool.
Apples also contain compounds that appear to be capable of killing germs. Moreover, ursolic acid, found in apple peel, is thought to play a function in muscle growth and metabolism.
You can give apple slices to malaria patients or apple juice depending on their condition. Lastly, malaria fever can also be reduced with apple cider vinegar. Soak a cloth in apple cider vinegar diluted with water. For 10 minutes, place it on your brow.
2. Berries
Berries have antioxidants and are high in Vitamin C, both of which are great for building immunity. The presence of polyphenol chemicals, which have been associated with health benefits, is primarily responsible for the antioxidant action.
You can eat strawberries, blueberries, or any other berries available in your area. Researchers from the University of Campinas in Brazil and Texas A&M University in the United States discovered that aça berries lower parasite levels that cause malaria in malaria-infected mice.
3. Papaya
“Not only the fruit is beneficial but also the extracted papaya leaf juice has antimalarial properties and is beneficial in increasing the platelets count, which can be done naturally rather than depending on any medications for the same.” –Benefits of Papaya Fruit and its leaves to Treat Malaria or Dengue
Papaya leaves include phenolic chemicals, papain, and alkaloids, which function as powerful antioxidants and boost the body’s immunity. This is the reason they are popularly used for the treatment of malaria and dengue.
You can eat ripe or unripe papaya as it is or make papaya leaf juice or shake it for the treatment of malaria. However, consult a doctor before eating unripe papaya if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Also, read Papaya Leaf Juice Benefits for Immunity Booster
4. Grapes
Resveratrol, a chemical found in the skin of black grapes, may aid in the treatment of malaria, according to experts in the United States.
It may protect against cancer by lowering inflammation and inhibiting cancer cell development. Grapes also include catechins, quercetin, and anthocyanins, which are antioxidants that may work together to fight diseases.
Vitamin C is another important nutrient found in grapes that can improve immunity and help in the faster recovery of malaria.
5. Oranges
Another Vitamin C-rich fruit that can help in the treatment of malaria is orange. They are abundant in carotenoid antioxidants, which give them vibrant orange, red, and yellow hues.
According to one study, drinking fresh orange juice helped raise skin carotenoid levels, which are good markers of the body’s total antioxidant health.
Signs and Symptoms of Malaria:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Malaria symptoms include:
- fever and flu
- shivering chills
- headache
- muscular pains
- weariness
- Nausea
- vomiting and diarrhea
- anemia
- jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
If not treated immediately, the infection can progress and cause renal failure, seizures, mental disorientation, coma, and death. Click here to get immediate treatment by consulting an online doctor for malaria via Marham today.
The Bottom Line
Fruits are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help the body recover from various diseases. The best fruits for malaria include apples, oranges, berries, grapes, and papaya due to their high Vitamin C and antioxidant content.
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FAQs
Is banana good for malaria patients?
Bananas can be helpful in increasing potassium levels in malaria patients who have diarrhea or vomiting and have lost their electrolyte imbalance. They also are helpful in treating diarrhea or constipation.
Can we eat watermelon with malaria?
Watermelon can help maintain the fluid balance of the body. However, watermelon might not be the best if you have diarrhea or vomiting. So, it is better to consult a doctor regarding this.
Which fruit can cure malaria?
There is no specific fruit that can cure malaria. But, several fruits can help promote healing and cause faster recovery due to their high Vitamin and antioxidant levels. Such fruits are papaya, berries, grapes, etc.