Candidiasis: stop feeding that enemy –

Hard to escape. At least once in their lives, three out of four women will experience a desperate itch in their private parts, accompanied by burning and whitish discharge. Blame the fungus Candida albicans, by far the main cause of vaginal infection. Present on the surface of the skin and in the digestive tract of healthy people, it is generally harmless until it finds two optimal conditions to reproduce: heat and low resistance.

In summer, the vagina becomes warmer and wetter, creating a favorable habitat for its multiplication. Even so, as this elastic tube is endowed with an efficient defense mechanism, the “colony” can be neutralized. But when medications (antibiotics, corticoids, laxatives), infections like a simple flu, poor diet or stress unbalance the vaginal flora, the Candida invades tissues and wreaks havoc. Worse is when these “inner fire” episodes come and go.

In at least 40% of those affected, the crises are recurrent. “Recurrent candidiasis is usually the result of a bad habit”, warns gynecologist José Bento, from São Luiz and Albert Einstein hospitals, both in São Paulo. “Instead of using routine antifungal vaginal creams or ovules, it is worth reviewing your habits with your doctor.” According to the gynecologist, the diet deserves attention in this evaluation, because depending on what you eat, you are feeding your enemy.
Out, sugar!
Ant-types have good reason to be concerned. “Sugar alters the pH of the vagina in such a way as to favor the proliferation of fungi”, says José Bento. Thus, it is necessary to restrict sweets, candies in general, honey and sweetened industrialized products, such as soft drinks and fruit juices. And don’t be surprised if the desire for sweets increases. “The various substances that fungi produce and release in the digestion process make us want to consume foods that are useful for their survival,” explains Alessandra Almeida, a nutritionist from Rio de Janeiro.

But sugar is not the only villain. Other refined and simple carbohydrates, such as white pasta, bread and rice, also make fun of the fungi that cause candidiasis. Due to their rapid digestion, these foods soon raise the blood sugar level, hence the importance of replacing them with wholegrain versions, rich in fiber.

These foods, however, should be avoided if you are sensitive to gluten (protein from wheat, barley, rye and oats). As well as those who are allergic to lactose or soy, they need to suspend products based on milk or grain. “In these people, the regular consumption of substances with allergenic potential can cause an imbalance in the digestive flora, favoring the growth of fungi”, says Alessandra. But it needs to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
go easy on the fruits
In excess, fructose (fruit sugar) can be harmful. This substance is also found in corn syrup, widely used in the food industry. Therefore, check the packaging and stay away from products that abuse this ingredient. But you don’t have to give up such a healthy food as fresh fruit. Consume three to four servings a day, giving preference to those with a low glycemic index (strawberry, pear, peach, apple and plum) – that is, which are absorbed more slowly.

Do you love mango, watermelon, persimmon and grape? Suspend these fruits, which have rapid digestion, at least in the phases when candidiasis is not giving peace of mind. Also forget very concentrated fruit juices, as the fructose rate tends to be high. Do the same with dried fruits that have added sugar (dried bananas, dried figs and pineapple) or are sold in bulk. “Fruits that are exposed to air and light for a long time favor the proliferation of fungi”, warns the nutritionist.
on the blacklist
It is even more important that you keep your distance from bread (and other doughs that use biological yeast, such as pizza), Gorgonzola cheese, vinegar, wine and beer. “These are foods and drinks fermented by the action of fungi, which can confuse the immune system and unbalance the microorganisms that naturally live in the intestine”, says Fábio Bicalho, member of the Brazilian Center for Functional Nutrition. Preserved products (pickles and heart of palm), sausages and all mushrooms (from mushrooms to shiitake) also stimulate fungal growth and therefore should be avoided when candidiasis takes over.
more allies
The good news is that there are foods with proven antifungal action, deserving a prominent place on the menu. They are: oregano, rosemary, thyme, garlic and onion. “Try to consume them every day, in different dishes and meals”, guides Fábio. Suggestion: sprinkle on salads, soups and sauces, preferably at the end of cooking. Other good choices are pumpkin seeds and oregano and extra virgin coconut oils (use the first to season savory dishes and the second to be mixed with yogurt). The pomegranate is another ally: prepare a juice with the pulp and seeds.

Lactobacilli reorganize the intestinal flora and, therefore, are also great allies against enemy fungi. These probiotics (good bacteria) are found in yogurt and cheese (check the packaging). “These products, however, should be avoided by those who are sensitive to lactose”, recalls Alessandra. This is why many nutritionists feel it is safer to prescribe probiotics in sachets or capsules.

What about prebiotics? Able to nourish the beneficial bacteria in the intestine, they are also welcome to make it more resistant. The list includes green banana biomass (it can be added to juice and fruit salad) and yacon potato – a tuber originating in the Andes with the power to reduce blood sugar levels and should be consumed raw like a fruit.

Dark green leafy vegetables, wholegrain foods, fresh fruit, fish, organic chicken, chicory root and artichokes are also essential in the anti-candida diet. “They balance the intestinal flora, making the environment less attractive to fungi”, says Fábio, who also suggests cranberry juice. “This little red fruit has a recognized action against the bacteria that cause urinary infection, but it also hinders the action of candidiasis fungi.”

Chia and linseed seeds, as well as quinoa and oats, are useful for other reasons: they help to reduce the glycemic index of the meal, preventing spikes in blood sugar and, therefore, reducing the risk of fungus manifesting. Walnuts, almonds and Brazil nuts strengthen the body’s defenses against these and other invaders. However, if stored improperly, oleaginous fruits can bring fungi and toxins that tend to increase the risk of candidiasis. In that case, run away from them!