Nausea is a distressing sensation of stomach discomfort often accompanied by the urge to vomit. When this feeling strikes, many people look for quick dietary solutions to settle their stomach. This search for relief sometimes leads to the query of whether cheese, a common household food, can help alleviate the symptoms. Determining its true effect on a sensitive digestive system requires an evidence-based examination.
Addressing the Nausea and Cheese Question
The definitive answer is that cheese is generally not recommended by medical professionals for the relief of nausea. While some bland, low-fat dairy items might be tolerated by a few individuals, cheese is a high-fat solid food that is typically counterproductive to soothing an upset stomach. The potential for a minor benefit is usually outweighed by the risk of worsening the digestive distress. For most people experiencing nausea, avoiding rich or complex foods like cheese is the standard advice.
Why Some People Suggest Cheese
The folk remedy suggesting cheese for nausea may stem from its protein content and dense texture. Protein is known to help stabilize blood sugar levels, which can sometimes trigger or worsen feelings of nausea when they drop too low. Eating a small amount of a bland, firm food, such as a mild piece of cheddar or cottage cheese, might temporarily feel less irritating than highly acidic or sweet foods. This perceived benefit is often anecdotal, as the protein can provide temporary satiety and a perceived “settling” effect.
The Risk of High-Fat Foods During Nausea
Most types of cheese contain a high percentage of fat, which presents a significant challenge to an already sensitive gastrointestinal tract. High-fat foods take substantially longer for the stomach to digest compared to carbohydrates or protein. This prolonged presence of food in the stomach slows down gastric emptying, which is often already delayed during periods of nausea. The extended time the stomach is full increases the likelihood of discomfort, bloating, and the sensation of needing to vomit.
Fat digestion also triggers the release of hormones like cholecystokinin (CCK), which further delays gastric emptying and can exacerbate dyspeptic symptoms, including nausea. Studies have shown that low-fat meals are better tolerated than high-fat meals, especially in individuals with compromised stomach function. Eating a high-fat solid food like cheese can therefore prolong the feeling of sickness rather than providing relief. Additionally, even small amounts of lactose in hard cheeses can cause discomfort for those with a sensitive or irritated digestive system.
Scientifically Supported Nausea Remedies
Instead of cheese, several scientifically supported alternatives can provide effective relief from nausea. Staying well-hydrated is primary, achieved by sipping small amounts of clear liquids, such as water, clear broth, or electrolyte drinks, throughout the day. Consuming fluids slowly prevents the stomach from becoming overly full, which can trigger vomiting.
Bland, easily digestible foods are also recommended to avoid gastric irritation. The BRAT diet components—bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast or crackers—are low in fiber and fat, making them gentle on the stomach.
Specific Remedies
- Hydration: Sip clear liquids, such as water, clear broth, or electrolyte drinks, slowly throughout the day.
- Bland Foods: Consume easily digestible items like those in the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast or crackers).
- Ginger: Research confirms its efficacy in reducing nausea associated with motion sickness and chemotherapy; it can be consumed as tea, chews, or capsules.
- Peppermint: The oil and tea have a soothing, anti-spasmodic effect on the digestive tract, and sucking on flavored hard candies can also help.
- Acupressure: Techniques applied to the P6 (Neiguan) point on the inner wrist have been shown to help alleviate symptoms.