Some Internet sites claim that grape juice can treat or prevent stomach bugs. For instance, some people on Facebook believe that three glasses of grape juice will wash germs away.
Grape juice is a tasty drink with many health benefits, but there is no proof that it can stop stomach bugs.
Here’s what to know about why grape juice doesn’t prevent stomach illness.
Why Grape Juice Doesn’t Prevent Stomach Bugs
The myths surrounding grape juice include:
Grape juice changes the acidity level, or pH, of your stomach. According to some Facebook pages, grape juice can cap the number of germs in your stomach that make you sick.
But grape juice is too mild to significantly change your stomach pH. It is only slightly acidic and can lower the pH of your stomach a little, but this change wouldn’t last long.
Also, stomach viruses usually multiply in your intestines, which have a more neutral pH than your stomach.
Grape juice has antiviral properties because it has so much vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant with antiviral effects that can stop viruses responsible for stomach bugs, but grape juice does not have enough vitamin C to stop or prevent a stomach flu.
The only studies that found antiviral effects in grape juice have been in test tubes, not humans. More research is needed before experts can say that grape juice can prevent and treat stomach bugs to any degree.
The Health Benefits of Grape Juice
Grape juice may not be able to quell the pain of a stomach bug, but it does have some health benefits -- if it’s actually made of grapes.
Many grape juices are grape-flavored drinks with much more water and sugar than actual grape juice. Be sure to read labels carefully if you’re looking to reap the benefits of natural grape juice.
Unlike grape-flavored drinks, natural grape juice is a great source of:
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Vitamin C
- Calcium
Natural grape juice has a lot of benefits in common with red wine. It can:
- Keep a healthy blood pressure
- Lower the risk of blood clots
- Lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol
Natural grape juice can also strengthen the blood vessels in your heart.
Grape juice is also filled with antioxidants such as flavonoids and resveratrol, which protect your body from free radicals. Free radicals are often the result of chemicals or pollution and may lead to conditions like heart disease or cancer. Adding antioxidants to your diet will help protect your body from the damage caused by free radicals.
Dark red and purple grape juice are especially high in antioxidants.
Better Ways to Prevent Stomach Bugs
There are a few better ways to stay healthy than drinking a lot of grape juice:
Wash your hands. To prevent a stomach bug, you should wash your hands every time you return home, go to the bathroom, or eat. Use soap and water to wash your hands instead of hand sanitizers, which are generally less effective.
Stick to a healthy diet. A varied diet full of whole vegetables and fruits high in vitamin C will boost your immune system. This means if you do catch a stomach bug, your body will be able to handle it better, and you will recover faster.
Don’t skip carbohydrates entirely. Carbs can improve your body’s ability to fight viral infections and reduce inflammation.
Stay active. Exercising often will make you less likely to get a stomach bug because it can boost your body’s defense system.
Distance from people with flu symptoms. Spending less time in large crowds during flu season will lower your chances of coming down with a stomach bug.
Get a lot of high-quality sleep. Stick to a sleep schedule, and take as many rest breaks as you can during the day.