Caffeinated drinks and chocolate reduce the absorption of antibiotics
“Although coffee wakes you up, your body needs to break it down to get rid of it. Some antibiotics can change the way your body processes caffeine, slowing down the breakdown. This can make you feel jittery or get headaches,” explains pharmacist Grace Lim Eng Fui from the pharmacy department of Sengkang General Hospital (SKH), a member of the SingHealth group.
The Milk in caffeinated drinks also weakens the absorption of antibioticsmaking your body less effective at fighting infections. Remember that caffeine is also found in sodas, energy drinks and chocolate.
Spicy food is another remedy that you should approach with caution or avoid while taking antibiotics. This is because a common side effect of some antibiotics is diarrhea and nausea, and consuming spicy foods and caffeinated beverages can worsen the condition.
Read more: Preparing for surgery? Are there foods to avoid before and after surgery?
Another frequently asked question about food is…
Is it safe to eat leftovers?
“When you eat leftovers, you may eat the wrong portions of food groups and have an unbalanced meal the next day. In addition, if leftovers are stored and reheated improperly, there is a risk of food poisoning,” advises nutritionist Chan Ya Ling from the Department of Dietetics, also at Sengkang General Hospital (SKH).
To minimize leftovers, you can:
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Plan, prepare and store food correctly to avoid leftovers.
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If you cook more than one meal, portion out the remaining food and store it in clean, covered containers.
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Always spoon out only the portion you want to eat into a separate bowl to prevent contamination of the remaining food.
Read more: Is it good for your health to drink a glass of wine or beer every day?
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Bacteria multiply in the temperature danger range of 5 to 60°C. Do not leave food in this danger zone for more than two hours. Otherwise, refrigerate it (4°C) and throw away food that has been left out for more than four hours.
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Consume cooked food within two to three days after cooking and these should not be reheated more than once.
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Young children, pregnant women, the elderly, transplant patients, chemotherapy patients and patients taking immunosuppressive medications should avoid eating leftovers.because they are more susceptible to foodborne infections and the development of serious complications.
Read more: 8 Health Facts About Durian You Didn’t Know
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Articles about HealthXchange.com are for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for professional surgical, medical, or health advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. Photo courtesy of iStock.
