Chikungunya Diet: 12 Amazing Recovery Foods

Recovering from Chikungunya? What you eat can make a big difference. These 12 powerful foods can help reduce inflammation, boost immunity, and speed up your recovery.

What is Chikungunya?

Chikungunya is a viral illness that commonly spreads in India during and after the monsoon season. It is transmitted through the bite of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. 

First identified in 1952 during an outbreak in southern Tanzania, the name “chikungunya” originates from a Kimakonde word meaning “to become contorted,” referring to the bent posture of those suffering from severe joint pain.

While, chikungunya is rarely fatal, it can cause significant discomfort. The primary symptoms include joint and muscular discomfort.. The other symptoms of chikungunya include:

• Fever
• Rash
• Swelling around joints
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Fatigue

What To Eat During Chikungunya?

There is no specific antiviral treatment for Chikungunya. Management is supportive, focusing on hydration, pain relief, and immune support. A nutrient-rich diet plays a key role in recovery by helping reduce inflammation, restoring energy, and boosting immunity.

Below are 12 foods that may support your recovery from Chikungunya.

1. Green leafy vegetables

Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and fenugreek are rich in vitamins A and C, antioxidants, and phytonutrients that may reduce inflammation and boost immune function. Their high fiber content also supports digestion.

2. Citrus fruits

Vitamin C-rich foods are recommended in the chikungunya diet as they help boost immunity. Also, chikungunya foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, kiwis, and guava, are easily digestible and recommended if you’re suffering from chikungunya.

3. Coconut Water

Coconut water serves as a natural electrolyte replenisher, helping to prevent dehydration. It may also support liver function due to its antioxidant properties.

4. Fruits

Fruits are essential to recover from Chikungunya. Oranges, apples, watermelons, and other fruits effectively treat chikungunya in the shortest amount of time. Apples, for example, are high in fibre, which helps to cleanse the body and improve digestion. It also helps to lower cholesterol, prevent constipation, and keep the body clean. 

5. Homemade porridges

Porridges are tasty, light, and nutritious homemade foods. Light and easy to digest, porridges made with oats, rice, or millets are a good source of energy and protein, which support recovery and muscle repair.

6. Soups

 Soups made from beans, fish, and lean meat, are good protein sources. Therefore, it’s good to include them in your chikungunya diet. Besides, tomato soup and carrot soup are high in antioxidants and vitamin A, which are essential for recovering from Chikungunya.

7. Chromium Rich Foods

Eating foods rich in chromium, selenium, and zinc can provide your body with essential nutrients and aid in your recovery from weakness. Chromium-rich foods toinclude in your diet are:

• Oats
• Barley
• Brown rice
• Green beans
• Mushrooms
• Almonds
• Flax seeds
• Broccoli

8. Papaya leaf extract

Papaya leaf extract is traditionally used to support platelet count, especially in dengue.

9. Giloy juice

Giloy juice is another popular remedy for Chikungunya. It can be taken twice a day by adding a few drops of giloy juice to a glass of water. Remember not to overdo it. You can also extract fresh giloy juice from the giloy stems by boiling it in water.

10. Barley

If you have Chikungunya, you must include barley (sattu) in your diet. It aids in liver detoxification.

Barley water is light, hydrating, and traditionally used to support liver health. It is rich in fiber and may help ease digestion during illness.

11. Herbal tea

Teas made with fennel, caraway, and cumin may help with digestion and bloating. Their mild anti-inflammatory effects can offer comfort during chikungunya recovery.

12. Turmeric and Ginger

Both turmeric and ginger exhibit anti-inflammatory properties that help alleviate pain. You can incorporate them into your food preparations for the best results.

The Chikungunya virus damages the body’s immunity which takes time to heal. A healthy diet rich in vitamins C and A, proteins, and herbs and minerals can help speedy recovery from Chikungunya.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but it should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new diet or remedy during Chikungunya or other illnesses

References:

• Doran, C., Duits, A., Tami, A., Izzy Gerstenbluth, & Bailey, A. (2023). “It’s very saddening, you keep on wondering when the symptoms will be over”: A qualitative study exploring the long-term chikungunya disease impact on daily life and well-being, 6 years after disease onset. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 17(12), e0011793–e0011793. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0011793
• European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. (2024). Chikungunya worldwide overview. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/chikungunya-monthly
• WHO. (2022, December 8). Chikungunya. Who.int; World Health Organization: WHO. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chikungunya