The Best Foods to Eat That Kill Parasites

Parasites are way more common than most people think. And while they’re actually not always problematic, they definitely can be!

Diet alone isn’t necessarily enough to solve the problem of pathogenic parasites, but it’s a crucial component of a holistic treatment strategy.

First of all, parasites literally feed off of what you eat. And while some foods may allow them to proliferate, others can help to kill them off.

Alongside antiparasitic foods that can directly kill parasites, eating an overall diet that supports immune system function and a healthy gut microbiome can help you build up your body’s natural defenses against parasitic infections.

Antiparasitic foods are also one of the gentler strategies when it comes to ridding the body of parasites. So if you’ve experienced die-off reactions from medications or intensive supplement protocols in the past, diet may be a good way to ease your way into treatment.

So, let’s explore some of the most effective parasite-killing foods and their benefits, along with a few things to avoid and a selection of supportive supplements.

1. Garlic

Garlic has been used around the world for centuries to fight parasites. (1, 2) Garlic contains allicin, a species of sulfur with antiparasitic properties, as well as other antioxidants that help to fight against oxidative stress and cellular damage.

Garlic has also been shown to help fight viruses, pathogenic bacteria, fungal infections, and inflammation. (3, 4)

Quick tip: While cooking with garlic is great, eating garlic raw maximizes the availability of the antiparasitic (and antibacterial, and antiviral) compound allicin.

2. Barberry

Barberry contains the plant alkaloid berberine, which has been shown to have broad antimicrobial effects against parasites including helminths and protozoans, as well as viruses, bacteria, and fungi. (5)

Barberry (thanks to berberine) may also help to balance blood sugar, increase metabolic flexibility, and improve immune system function.

Depending on where you’re located, barberries aren’t always easy to find, but they’re often sold in Persian or Middle Eastern food stores. You can add these tart and slightly sweet berries, either dried or fresh, to your cooking (try them in salads or with cauliflower rice), or make them into tea or juice.

I also have a high quality berberine supplement available, which I personally use in order to regularly enjoy the powerful benefits of the barberry plant.

3. Papaya

Papaya (and specifically papaya seeds) may help to clear out intestinal parasites thanks to the enzymes papain and carpain. (6) Compounds found in papaya can also help to reduce inflammation and support heart health and digestion.

Since most of the antiparasitic effects of papaya come from the seeds specifically, make sure not to discard them when you’re eating the fruit. Papaya seeds have a peppery taste and can add flavor to soups, salads, or meat marinades.

4. Pomegranate

Pomegranate and its extracts have been shown to have antiparasitic, antiviral, antimicrobial, and anticancer effects. (7) Pomegranate has been used since ancient times to treat tapeworms and other parasites, and research has shown that pretty much every part of the fruit, including the peel, the root, and the juices, has antimicrobial effects. (8)

For example, extracts from pomegranate peel may be more effective than the antibiotic metronidazole (Flagyl) for treating the parasitic infection giardia, which is notoriously resistant to medications. (9)

Pomegranate is also one of the most antioxidant-rich fruits out there, which is why it’s a key ingredient in my antioxidant blend. (10)

5. Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are among my favorite superfoods. They’re considered a complete plant protein source, they’re rich in fiber and fatty acids, and they can help to kill off parasites. (11)

Cucurbitacin, a compound found in pumpkin seeds, may help to rid the body of nematodes (roundworms), tapeworms, and other types of parasites. (12)

Pumpkin seeds are also great for boosting energy, and they have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Enjoy pumpkin seeds raw or roasted as a snack, or try adding them to salads, smoothies, or sauces.

6. Onions

Onions, like garlic, contain powerful sulfuric compounds that have antiparasitic properties. (13) They have been shown to help prevent and clear protozoa and helminth infections from the body. (14)

Like with garlic, eating onions raw helps to ensure that you’re getting as much of the active antiparasitic compounds as possible.

Keep in mind that both onions and garlic are high FODMAP foods, and can be problematic for those with SIBO, IBS, and other gastrointestinal conditions.

LISTEN: Parasite Deep Dive: Symptoms, Labs, Cleanses + Treatments For This Gut Health Problem (+ Emotional Parasites That Damage Your Health!) | Dr. Will Cole 

7. Coconut

Coconut is another superstar food with antiparasitic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory antifungal, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties. (15)

Coconut oil and other coconut extracts also have tons of additional health benefits, supporting brain health, metabolism, blood sugar control, and immune system function.

8. Probiotic-Rich Foods

Probiotic-rich foods work a little differently than some of the other foods on this list. Rather than killing parasites directly, probiotic foods help to rebuild and balance a healthy gut microbiome, which creates an inhospitable environment for pathogenic parasites and helps to prevent future infections.

Supporting the gut microbiome is one of the most important components of any holistic treatment protocol for parasites. Try fermented foods and drinks such as natto, tempeh, kombucha, kefir, or kimchi, which naturally contain beneficial bacteria (probiotics).

9. Herbs

There are several different kinds of herbs that have natural antiparasitic properties– along with so many other benefits. This is such a big part of why I love plant medicine. You’ll never find an herb that just kills some kind of parasite. These natural remedies are filled with different compounds that work synergistically to support whole body health.

Some of my favorite antiparasitic herbs and herbal extracts include:

• Oregano
• Ginger
• Berberine (not an herb itself, but an extract from different plants and herbs)
• Wormwood
• Black walnut
• Thyme
• Turmeric
• Cumin
• Clove

Depending on the herb, some of these can be used in cooking, made into teas, or are best taken as supplements.