5 Fruit for dengue fever patients which are rich in nutrients

Eating healthy food is the main asset in the recovery of various types of diseases, including dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). One of the various conditions suffered by DHF patients is a decreased number of platelets in the blood so that it requires certain nutritional intake from food sources. High intake of nutrients can be obtained from various types of food. So what foods are good for dengue fever patients?

The best food and drink for people with dengue fever (DHF)

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a dengue virus infection disease that is transmitted through mosquito bitesAedes.This disease can trigger a decrease in platelet levels in the blood. If the platelet count is too low, the patient is at risk of excessive bleeding.

Until now, there has not been one type of dengue treatment that is guaranteed to be effective in eradicating the dengue virus from the body. However, eating foods that are high in vitamins and minerals can help the body produce and maintain platelets in the blood.

Therefore, you need to pay attention to the type of food consumed to avoid worsening the symptoms of dengue that you are experiencing. The following is a series of foods and drinks that are recommended for people with dengue fever or DHF:

1. Papaya

The benefit of eating papaya fruit which is important for DHF patients is to help increase the intake of folic acid which the body needs to produce blood platelets. Not only folic acid, the various ingredients in papaya are very good for you.

A study from Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research proved that papaya leaf extract has membrane stabilizing properties and protects blood cells from stress damage experienced by dengue fever patients.

Therefore, this papaya leaf extract might be beneficial for DHF patients in preventing platelet deficiency or exhaustion.

2. Oranges

Citrus fruits are known to be rich in vitamin C, so this fruit is highly recommended for dengue fever patients. In addition to helping the body absorb iron, the benefits of eating citrus fruits are needed by dengue fever patients to increase the body's immune system or so that it helps the recovery process faster.

Oranges also contain folate which has a vital role for DHF patients. So, don't hesitate to eat citrus fruits when you have dengue fever.

3. Guava

Guava or guava is the most recommended food for sufferers of dengue fever or DHF. According to a study that has been published in Journal of Natural Medicines, Guava is able to stimulate the formation of new platelets or blood platelets.

Guava is also rich in quercetin, which is a natural chemical compound that can be found in various types of fruits and vegetables. Quercetin can suppress the formation of viral mRNA, which is the genetic material essential for viral survival.

If a virus does not have enough mRNA, it cannot function properly. This will make it difficult for the virus to grow and then the increase in the number of viruses in the body can be suppressed. So, it is not surprising that consuming guava in the form of whole fruit or juice can accelerate the healing of dengue fever.

4. Bananas

Who doesn't know this one fruit? Indonesian people even eat bananas as a dessert. Well, it turns out that bananas are also a recommended food for people with dengue fever.

In some cases, dengue causes the sufferer to experience diarrhea. This is at risk of triggering dehydration. According to studies from StatPearls, consuming bananas can help replace body fluids and electrolytes lost due to diarrhea.

5. Dates

Another food that must be consumed for dengue fever sufferers is dates. The fruit, which is identical to the iftar takjil, is believed to help increase platelet levels in the blood.

In addition, dates contain quercetin which has been shown to ward off viral activity in the body, including the dengue virus. Therefore, dates are highly recommended for you to consume so that the symptoms of DHF can quickly subside.

6. Isotonic drink

In addition to food, the drink recommended by WHO for patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever (DD) or DHF is isotonic fluids. Isotonic drinks generally contain sodium or sodium of approximately 200 mg / 250 ml of water.

Isotonic fluids are great for people who are dehydrated. However, this isotonic liquid is not good if too much is consumed by people who are not dehydrated because of their high sugar content.

7. ORS fluid

There are 2 kinds of ORS with different compositions according to WHO and UNICEF. The old ORS contains a higher osmolarity, namely 331 mmol / L, when compared to the new ORS with an osmolarity of 245 mmol / L.

For the difference in electrolyte content between old and new ORS, the new sodium ORS is lower, namely 75 mEq / L, compared to the old ORS of 90 mEq / L. The potassium content is still the same between the old and new ORS.

The new ORS arrangement has the effect of reducing nausea and vomiting by up to 30% when compared to the new ORS. Therefore, patients with dengue fever are advised to be given the new ORS compared to the old ORS.

8. Milk

In addition to electrolyte drinks in general, WHO also states that milk can be drunk to relieve the symptoms of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), rather than giving plain water.

Milk contains electrolytes of sodium 42 mg / 100 grams, potassium 156 mg / 100 grams, and also contains other electrolytes such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc which are also needed to carry out all body functions.

Food and drinks that are not consumed by sufferers of dengue fever (DHF)

In addition to the recommendations for healthy food and drinks above, of course there are also some that should not be eaten in large quantities by DHF sufferers. As with other diseases, there are several dietary restrictions for patients with dengue fever.

It would be even better if people with DHF avoid the following foods and drinks altogether to speed up the healing process:

1. Sweet foods and drinks

Foods and drinks containing high sugar are taboo for people with dengue fever. This is because the sugar in sugary foods limits the role of the immune system to protect the body from bacteria. When the immune system is compromised, the recovery of dengue will take a long time.

For example, soft drinks, canned drinks, sweet cakes, biscuits, cakes, and others. Consumption of sweet intake can increase inflammation and make the body more sluggish because the immune system does not react optimally.

2. Alcoholic drinks

Alcohol decreases platelets in the blood by inhibiting their production in the spinal cord.

It was previously known that platelets work by clotting blood by providing blockages when a blood vessel is injured. However, alcohol can interfere with platelet function, thus failing to do its job in clotting blood.

Plus, alcohol not only has the effect of lowering platelets, but also triggers dehydration. DHF patients are very prone to dehydration, so consuming alcohol will actually worsen your condition.

3. Fatty foods

Fatty foods, including oily, are things that should be avoided for people with dengue fever. Fatty and oily foods can increase cholesterol levels in the blood.

High cholesterol affects the smoothness of platelets in the blood to carry out their function to protect the body. Therefore, avoid fried foods and fatty meats. Eat healthier protein, such as chicken or lean beef to increase endurance.

That was a list of recommended foods and drinks for dengue fever patients, as well as restrictions that should be avoided. By adjusting the appropriate diet, it is guaranteed that the healing process of dengue fever will be passed better.