Antibacterial Diets

The human body, by most estimates, contains roughly four quadrillion bacteria. Many of these microorganisms are entirely harmless, some even helpful, while others are the causes of maladies ranging from gum disease and cavities to bacterial infection. Like so much about the body, your dietary intake can affect the bacteria living inside you.

Bacteria in the Body

All things in moderation, goes the saying, and this certainly applies to the amount of bacteria in your body. Consider the stomach. Bacteria in the stomach are vitally important in helping break down food during digestion. These bacteria are called the "normal flora" or "indigenous microbiota" of the stomach. This is why, when you take a course of antibiotics, your stomach can become more sensitive and more prone to indigestion--the normal flora are dying along with the infection that your antibiotics are meant to be killing.

On the other hand, an excess of bacteria in the stomach can lead to a condition known as SIBO, or small intestine bacterial overgrowth, as well as a number of other maladies. SIBO can cause gas, abdominal pains, bloating and diarrhea, and is often associated with irritable bowel syndrome. If you have an excess of bacteria in your system, it's important to try to bring these bacteria back in check.

Diet for Bacteria

Bacteria thrive on sugars, and produce alcohols as the product of their digestion of these sugars. In order to slow the growth of bacteria in your stomach, consider a diet that eliminates table sugar and sugar-based syrups like maple syrup or molasses. Also avoid soft drinks, fruit juices and sweet condiments and sauces, as these products are also high in the simple, fast-releasing sugars on which bacteria thrive. Where you can, also consider avoiding fruits and starchy vegetables, as these foods will also contribute to bacterial growth. Take vitamins to make up for deficiencies that these restrictions might create in your diet.

The other side of the coin is that you'll want to avoid increasing the alcohol content in your stomach, as it is already heightened by the excess bacteria. Don't drink alcohol, of course; also avoid vinegar and vinegar-based condiments, as these are also created through the process of fermentation. Limit your intake of pickled foods as well, for the same reason.