On TikTok, women are changing their diets to resolve candida overgrowth, all with varying strictness and habits, with three nutritionists explaining to Newsweek how to effectively tackle candida with dietary change.
Hundreds of videos of women going on candida cleanses are circulating on TikTok, usually involving eating only whole foods, cutting out sugar, gluten and alcohol, and adding in so-called health foods such as apple cider vinegar, bone broth and herbal teas.
"Candida overgrowth occurs when the fungus Candida albicans, normally present in the body, grows excessively," nutritionist Layla Gordon, of Layla Gordon Nutrition, told Newsweek. "This can lead to symptoms like vaginal yeast infections, oral thrush, skin rashes, and digestive problems."
Candida overgrowth can occur due to certain medications—particularly antibiotics—that disrupt gut flora, a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates, high alcohol intake, a weakened immune system or stress, nutritionist Kirstie Lawton, of You Nutrition, told Newsweek.
Nutritionist therapist Rakhi Lad, of Healthology Hub, also explained that "frequent use of antibiotics can wipe out beneficial bacteria, allowing candida to take over."
"I'm not saying that you shouldn't take antibiotics, but it's important to be mindful of their impact on gut health," Lad told Newsweek, who added that oral birth control could also encourage candida overgrowth. "Research suggests that estrogen appears to enhance candida's ability to adhere to cells and thrive."
Candida is perhaps most famous for being the yeast that causes thrush, and Gordon said it was most likely to affect women "due to hormonal changes, like fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels, especially during pregnancy, menopause, and menstrual cycles, which can create a favorable environment for candida growth."
Lawton said that candida overgrowth symptoms commonly include feeling bloated, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, cramps, and itchiness.
For some, other symptoms may also be present, such as brain fog, difficulty concentrating, fungal infections elsewhere in the body, skin changes such as acne, an inability to lose weight, fatigue, migraines and joint pains.
The women on TikTok who go on special several-week diets to combat candida overgrowth all do slightly different things, but they all tend to focus on eating whole foods, removing ultra-processed foods, cutting out alcohol, and minimizing sugars and carbohydrates. The nutritionists Newsweek spoke with largely agreed with this advice.
"A candida-fighting diet involves cutting out foods that feed the yeast, such as refined sugars, simple carbohydrates, and alcohol, as these all provide the perfect environment for candida to thrive," Lad said. "Refined sugars from foods like cakes, pastries, sweets, and soft drinks break down quickly into glucose, which feeds candida and encourages its growth. Simple carbohydrates such as white bread, white pasta, and white rice have a similar effect, as they are rapidly converted into sugar."
So, she said, it is "essential" to focus on whole, unprocessed foods, non-starchy vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats to support a healthy gut environment and starve the candida of sugar.
Lawton said that some people may wish to consider supplementing with pre- and probiotics to encourage the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and "nudge" candida out, suggesting that Bifidobacterium and Saccharomyces boulardii might do the trick.
"In more extreme cases we may use antifungals such as caprylic acid and monolaurin from coconut, and other antimicrobials such as grapefruit extract, oregano oil, black walnut, and allicin from garlic," Lawton said.
However, Lad cautioned that this sort of diet was "not a stand-alone solution for everyone," adding "there may be other factors to consider" and "any specific diet changes should ideally be tailored to your individual needs."
Gordon concurred, saying: "An anti-candida diet can be very effective, but it should only be used in conjunction with advice from a registered nutritionist, and should only be done for a specific time, as the diet can lead to weight loss and food exclusion."
Also, there was a danger that some of the TikTok creators might be taking their candida diets too far, the nutritionists said, particularly those purported to exclude all sugar, carbs, dairy, gluten and caffeine.
"While it's true that refined sugars, simple carbs, and processed foods can fuel candida growth, such extreme restrictions around all carbohydrates, gluten and dairy may not be necessary or sustainable for everyone," Lad said.
She said she preferred "a more moderate, balanced approach" that could still be effective. For instance, complex carbohydrates in wholegrains and vegetables, and dairy products such as yogurt and kefir, might be beneficial for gut health.
"Additionally, strict elimination diets can be challenging to maintain and may lead to nutritional imbalances or even disordered eating patterns," Lad said.
Gordon added that "we have to be realistic" and that "restricting for too long could also cause food anxiety and weight loss" so a sense of balance was necessary.
She recommended focusing on the beneficial, anti-candida foods that someone could enjoy, such as eggs, red meat, beans, onions, garlic, coconut, olive oil, fish, lemons, limes, almonds, sunflowers, sesame and pumpkin seeds, and ginger.
"Everyone's body is different, even if they have similar health issues or symptoms," La said. "There's an art and science to understanding what drives someone's health issues. Rarely is it just one thing, as we are such complex beings. Working with a qualified professional, like a registered nutritional therapist, can help ensure the diet is both effective and safe."
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