Alkaline Lemonade for Gastroenteritis in Children and Adults

Gastroenteritis is a frequent problem in the warmer seasons of the year. We'll tell you how to improve the symptoms with alkaline lemonade.

Alkaline lemonade can be an effective remedy to improve the symptoms of gastroenteritis in children and adults. Typically, this health problem is associated with vomiting and diarrhea, so it’s key to ensure sufficient fluid intake to avoid dehydration.

Before we begin, it’s important to note that gastroenteritis can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Sometimes, it’s the pathogenic bacteria present in some foods that trigger the condition, so you’ll have to maintain good food hygiene habits to prevent this type of condition.

Having said all this, in the following article, we’ll share with you the recipe for this alkaline lemonade to help you replenish fluids and minerals during gastroenteritis. Take note!

Ingredients to prepare alkaline lemonade

If you want to prepare an alkaline lemonade to reduce the symptoms of gastroenteritis, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 1 liter of boiled water
• 4 tablespoons of sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
• The juice of one lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt

Step-by-step instructions

First, boil the water for a few minutes to get rid of any bacteria it may contain.

Then, let it cool and reserve it for later at room temperature. Then, squeeze the lemon juice and strain it to remove all the seeds.

Next, mix the water with the lemon and the other ingredients. It’s important to stir properly to dissolve the salt, sugar, and baking soda. It’s best to keep the preparation in the refrigerator until it’s to be consumed.

The need to hydrate well during gastroenteritis

As we’ve already mentioned, one of the main dangers of gastroenteritis is dehydration, especially when it occurs with diarrhea and vomiting. This is evidenced by a study published in BioMed Central.

In fact, in some situations, it may be necessary to administer intravenous fluids to avoid major problems. This is especially true when oral fluids aren’t allowed or aren’t retained in the stomach for at least 15 minutes.

However, maintaining water and mineral balance is a key factor in maintaining health. A reduction in sodium levels in the body (hyponatremia) can lead to potentially serious conditions, requiring hospitalization. For this reason, lemonade is made with salt to reduce the possible risks and to maintain a continuous sodium intake.

When to go to the doctor?

Many cases of gastroenteritis heal on their own within a couple of days or even within the first week. It’s enough to ensure hydration and to resume a normal diet progressively, starting with easily digestible foods.

However, there are some warning signs that indicate the need to consult the referring physician. One of them is the presence of blood in the stool, as this could indicate the presence of invasive bacteria capable of causing serious conditions.

In the event that fluid intake isn’t tolerated and vomiting occurs very frequently, it’s also advisable to see a specialist. Especially in the case of infants and young children, who don’t have too much water reserves in their bodies and tend to become dehydrated very easily.

When the symptoms last more than 2 days, it’s also advisable to contact a physician. But if the rehydration strategies at home are effective and there’s no other suspicious symptomatology, it’s likely that the same behavior will be maintained.

During gastroenteritis, it’s key to control body temperature, because in many cases, fever may appear. This symptom could also alert us about the possibility of a bacterial infection, although this isn’t always the case.

Prepare alkaline lemonade to treat gastroenteritis in children and adults

As you’ve seen, it’s easy to prepare alkaline lemonade to treat gastroenteritis in children and adults. It’s a simple remedy that can work well in many cases to optimize the state of hydration and replenishment of minerals that the body loses.

Finally, remember that many digestive problems can be prevented by implementing some habits at the hygienic level. For example, wash raw foods well before eating them and ensure that they’re thoroughly cooked, especially when they’re of animal origin. This will eliminate possible pathogens that may be contained inside.