8 Best Foods for Alcohol Detox

Last Updated: February 26, 2024

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Article at a Glance

  • Chronic heavy drinking can lead to nutrient deficiencies and impair gut health.
  • Eating foods rich in vitamins and minerals can help reduce withdrawal symptoms during alcohol detox.
  • Fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, whole grains, protein, and foods that support gut health are beneficial during detox.
  • Cayenne pepper can soothe withdrawal symptoms, but should be used in moderation.
  • Choosing low-sodium foods can help lessen dehydration during detox.
  • Staying hydrated, avoiding processed sugars, and considering vitamin supplementation are additional tips for a healthy alcohol detox.

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Certain foods can help ease the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. A balanced diet is essential to replenish nutrients and restore physical and mental health during a detox.

Chronic heavy drinking impairs gut health and nutrient absorption1, so many chronic drinkers are depleted of vitamins A, B, C and E, as well as calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. Eating foods to replenish these nutrients can help reduce common withdrawal symptoms like nausea, anxiety, headaches and cravings.

These eight food groups can help. 

How Alcohol Addiction Affects Nutrition

Alcohol addiction significantly disrupts healthy nutrition. Alcohol contains empty calories that replace nutritious foods in the diet, contributing to malnutrition and leading to deficiencies in critical vitamins and minerals. Excessive alcohol consumption also interferes with the body’s ability to absorb, store and utilize nutrients, further worsening existing nutritional deficiencies. 

Because of the decreased nutrition alcoholism can cause, individuals suffering from alcohol addiction can experience protein-energy malnutrition, anemia and deficiencies in important vitamins like thiamine and folate. These nutritional imbalances can lead to serious health complications such as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, anemia and increased susceptibility to infections.

Alcohol Recovery Diet

There is no diet specifically considered an “alcohol recovery diet.” There are, however, many important dietary interventions and strategies that can be beneficial in promoting recovery from alcohol abuse.

Fruits

Fruits have high water content and can help keep a person hydrated during the withdrawal period. They’re also a good source of fiber, vitamin A and vitamin C.

It’s common to crave sweet foods when detoxing from alcohol because, in some ways, sugar can mimic the effect of alcohol on the brain. While small amounts of sugar from fruit are fine, overindulging in sugary foods can contribute to withdrawal anxiety and cravings.

If nausea or vomiting symptoms make it difficult for a person to eat solid food, fresh or frozen fruit can be blended into a smoothie that may be easier to tolerate. Fruits to eat during detox due to their high water and vitamin content include:

  • Berries
  • Citrus 
  • Watermelon
  • Cantaloupe
  • Peaches

Vegetables

Vegetables also have a high water content and are packed with nutrients and fiber. Fiber helps keep blood sugar levels steady, which reduces irritability, anxiety and cravings. Fiber also fuels healthy gut bacteria. Orange and green leafy vegetables are very rich in calcium, potassium and vitamins A, B and C. 

The most nutritious vegetables to eat during detox include:

  • Leafy greens like kale and spinach
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Carrots
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Red bell peppers

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are a good source of healthy fats and minerals that are depleted with heavy alcohol use. The omega-3 fats3 found in walnuts, chia and flax seeds can help stabilize mood and improve brain function. Almonds are a good source of calcium, which helps with nervous system function. Nuts and seeds are also high in calories, so if a person is struggling with nausea, a small handful of nuts provides a good dose of nutrients.

Nuts and seeds to include during detox include:

  • Walnuts
  • Almonds
  • Flax, chia and hemp seeds
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Pistachios
  • Cashews 

Whole Grains

Whole grains are high in fiber and B vitamins that help improve the symptoms of withdrawal. B vitamins, especially thiamin4, folate and B6, boost energy and are essential for the nervous system function. Whole grains are also a source of complex carbs, which keep blood sugar steady and provide sustained energy. Carbohydrates and B vitamins are also involved in the production of serotonin6, which improves mood and reduces cravings.

Good whole-grain options include:

  • Quinoa
  • Brown or black rice
  • Oats
  • Barley
  • Whole wheat bread or pasta

Lean Proteins

The amino acids in protein are the building blocks of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which directly influence withdrawal symptoms. Fatty fish like salmon and tuna have a special type of omega-3 fat called DHA, which plays a major role3 in brain signaling. Plant-based proteins like edamame and lentils have the added benefit of fiber, B vitamins and minerals.

If nausea makes it difficult for a person to eat solid food, bone broth might be better tolerated and is high in protein and electrolytes.

The best proteins to support a detox include:

  • Seafood
  • Poultry
  • Eggs
  • Soy (tofu, edamame, tempeh)
  • Beans and lentils

We offer physician-led treatment for drug and alcohol addiction in New Jersey. Call us today to speak with a Recovery Advocate for free about your treatment options.

Probiotic Foods

Prolonged heavy drinking can disrupt the gut biome. Healing the gut improves digestion, absorption of nutrients and serotonin production. Around 95% of serotonin6 is produced in the gut, but production is irregular during alcohol withdrawal. A healthy gut can help normalize it. Improving gut health has also been shown to improve the health of the liver and kidneys7 — the body’s main detox organs.

In addition to probiotic supplements, foods that support gut health include: 

  • Yogurt
  • Kimchi and pickled veggies
  • Sourdough bread
  • Tempeh

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper can soothe withdrawal symptoms like nausea, stomach pain and headaches. Cayenne has been shown to reduce stomach upset8 and improve digestion by stimulating enzymes in the stomach. It can also help boost healthy gut bacteria and has been shown to relieve headaches. Sprinkling a small amount of cayenne onto your food or sipping on a Mexican hot chocolate is an easy way to help soothe withdrawal symptoms. It should, however, be used in moderation. It may irritate the stomach lining in some cases, making nausea or the effects of alcohol on the intestinal tract worse.

Foods Low in Sodium

Sodium is an important electrolyte, but too much of it can cause dehydration. Since withdrawal symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea and sweating already make a person dehydrated, choosing low-sodium foods can help lessen these symptoms. Lowering sodium intake can also help promote healthy blood pressure, which can be especially helpful during recovery. High-sodium foods to avoid include:

  • Processed foods
  • Deli meats
  • Canned beans
  • Bottled condiments and sauces

Low-sodium foods to focus on include:

  • Fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Fresh meat
  • Most dairy
  • Dry whole grains and beans
  • Unsalted nuts

Eating a balanced diet can help manage the alcohol withdrawal symptoms and restore physical and mental health during recovery. The right foods provide essential nutrients that ease physical symptoms like nausea, headaches and cravings. Foods rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber will help restore healthy gut bacteria and replenish nutrients depleted by heavy drinking. These effects can help the body heal faster and promote better health in recovery.

It’s important to note that some alcohol withdrawal symptoms can become life-threatening if not treated. In cases where severe withdrawal symptoms are likely to occur, it’s best to have medical assistance during the detox process.

Other Diet Tips

While eating the right foods can make a difference, there are also other diet-related tips that people should consider during alcohol detox.

Hydration

Alcohol is dehydrating. Additionally, detox causes stress on the body, which increases fluid loss. Staying hydrated is important for optimizing your overall health and increasing your body’s ability to undergo the stress of alcohol detox. Staying hydrated can involve tracking how much water you drink and how often you drink it. It can also include avoiding dehydrating drinks like coffee, tea and soda.

Avoid Processed Sugar

Processed sugars are generally unhealthy, causing inflammation, weight gain and other health problems. Foods with processed sugars can even be somewhat addictive by themselves. Avoid processed sugars and sweets. Consider fruit if you have a craving for something sweet during detox. 

Supplements 

While you can get the nutrients you need from eating a healthy, balanced diet, it can be helpful to give your body an extra boost during detox by supplementing with vitamins. A multivitamin can be enough; however, some people may prefer to take multiple vitamins separately. If you’d like to use more than a multivitamin, you should consult with a doctor or nutritionist about which options are best for you.

The Recovery Village provides alcohol detox services that treat any dangerous or uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that may emerge, making detox a much safer process. If you or someone you love is ready to quit alcohol, contact us today to learn more about detox and treatment programs that can work well for your situation.

Sources

  1. National Institutes of Health. “Alcohol and Nutrition.” Alcohol Alert, October 1993. Updated October 2000. Accessed August 1, 2023. 
  2. Cleveland Clinic. “Does What You Eat Affect Your Mood?” January 12, 2021. Accessed August 1, 2023. 
  3. Harrar, Sari. “Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Mood Disorders.” Today’s Dietitian, January 2012. Accessed August 1, 2023. 
  4. U.S. National Library of Medicine. “Substance use recovery and diet.” MedlinePlus, January 12, 2022. Accessed August 1, 2023. 
  5. Salz, Alyssa. “CPE Monthly: Substance Abuse and Nutrition.” Today’s Dietitian, December 2014. Accessed August 1, 2023. 
  6. Terry, Natalie; Margolis, Kara Gross. “Serotonergic Mechanisms Regulating the G[…]herapeutic Relevance.” Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, 2017. Accessed August 1, 2023. 
  7. Kieffer, Dorothy A.; et al. “Impact of Dietary Fibers on Nutrient Man[…], Liver, and Kidneys.” Advances in Nutrition, November 10, 2016. Accessed August 1, 2023.
  8. Cleveland Clinic. “Health Benefits of Cayenne Pepper.” November 30, 2021. Accessed August 1, 2023.

Medical Disclaimer: The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.

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