Nutrition Diet: What Vitamin Helps Stop Nausea? A Comprehensive Guide

October 13, 2025 •

4 min read

Research indicates that Vitamin B6 is a well-supported, safe, and effective option for reducing nausea and vomiting, particularly in pregnancy and chemotherapy. For those experiencing a queasy stomach, finding what vitamin helps stop nausea is a crucial first step towards feeling better, but it's most effective when combined with broader nutritional strategies.

Quick Summary

Vitamin B6 is widely studied and effective for managing nausea, especially during pregnancy and chemotherapy. This, along with consuming ginger, making smart dietary choices, and staying hydrated, forms a comprehensive approach to finding relief.

Key Points

Vitamin B6 is a Well-Supported Remedy: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is the most clinically recognized vitamin for reducing nausea, particularly during pregnancy and chemotherapy.
Ginger's Calming Effect: Ginger is an effective natural anti-nausea agent that helps calm the digestive system and improve gastric motility.
Dietary Adjustments are Crucial: Eating bland foods (like the BRAT diet) and having small, frequent meals can help prevent and manage an upset stomach.
Stay Hydrated in Small Sips: Dehydration worsens nausea, so it's important to sip clear fluids frequently throughout the day, rather than drinking large amounts at once.
Avoid Strong Triggers: Fatty, spicy, and strongly-scented foods are common triggers for nausea and should be avoided when you're feeling queasy.
Consult a Professional for Guidance: Always consult a healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen to ensure it is appropriate for your individual needs.

The Primary Vitamin for Nausea Relief: Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is the vitamin most frequently recommended and studied for its ability to help alleviate nausea. Its efficacy has been shown across various populations, including pregnant women suffering from morning sickness and patients undergoing chemotherapy. The exact mechanism by which B6 works to reduce nausea isn't fully understood, but it is believed to help by influencing neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which play a role in regulating the feeling of nausea. Research has also explored its potential role in modulating hormone levels, specifically high estrogen levels during pregnancy, which can be a cause of nausea.

How to Potentially Use Vitamin B6 for Nausea

For those considering B6 supplements for nausea, it's crucial to consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice. B6 is also available in combination with other anti-nausea medications, such as doxylamine, a combination that has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating morning sickness. Beyond supplements, increasing your intake of foods naturally rich in Vitamin B6 can be beneficial. These include:

Salmon
Avocados
Sunflower seeds
Pistachios
Poultry
Bananas
Spinach

Maximizing Nausea Control Through Dietary Choices

Beyond focusing on a single vitamin, a holistic dietary approach is key to managing nausea effectively. By making simple adjustments to your eating habits, you can often reduce the triggers and severity of an upset stomach.

Embrace Bland Foods (BRAT Diet)

When feeling queasy, bland, easy-to-digest foods are often the most tolerable. The traditional BRAT diet is a classic example:

Bananas
Rice (plain white rice)
Applesauce
Toast (dry or with a light spread)

These starchy foods can help absorb stomach acids, providing a soothing effect. As you begin to feel better, you can gradually reintroduce other mild foods like plain crackers, pretzels, and broiled skinless chicken.

Eat Small, Frequent Meals

Instead of eating three large meals a day, try eating smaller portions more frequently, every 2-3 hours. This prevents your stomach from becoming either too empty or too full, both of which can worsen nausea.

Foods to Avoid

Certain foods are known to exacerbate nausea and are best avoided, especially when your stomach is sensitive:

Greasy, fatty, or fried foods: These are harder to digest and can lead to stomach upset.
Spicy foods: Can irritate the stomach lining and trigger discomfort.
Foods with strong odors: The smell of cooking or strong-scented dishes can be a major trigger for nausea.

Natural Remedies: The Power of Ginger and Other Botanicals

For centuries, ginger has been a go-to natural remedy for nausea, and modern research supports its effectiveness. Gingerol and Shogaols, compounds found in ginger root, help with gastrointestinal motility, encouraging food to move along the digestive tract efficiently, thereby relieving feelings of queasiness.

Incorporating Ginger and Other Remedies

Ginger tea: Brew fresh ginger root in hot water for a soothing beverage.
Ginger ale: Opt for real ginger ale that contains actual ginger, not just flavorings.
Peppermint: Sipping peppermint tea or smelling peppermint oil can help calm an upset stomach.
Lemons: The aroma of fresh lemons can help curb nausea.

Comparison of Key Nausea Remedies


Feature	Vitamin B6	Ginger
Primary Use	Clinically studied for morning sickness and chemo-induced nausea	Traditional and studied for various types of nausea, including motion sickness and pregnancy
Mechanism	Influences neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine) and may modulate hormones	Contains gingerol and shogaol, which promote gastric emptying and calm the digestive system
Availability	Available as a supplement (pyridoxine) or in some combination medications	Available fresh, as a supplement, in tea, or in candied forms
Form	Oral tablets or as a component of specific prenatal vitamins	Tea, chews, supplements, fresh grated root
Expert Opinion	Widely supported by healthcare providers for nausea, particularly in pregnancy	Recognized by bodies like the ACOG as an acceptable non-pharmaceutical remedy for nausea

Broader Nutritional Strategies for Reducing Nausea

Managing nausea goes beyond just one vitamin or food. Consider these broader nutritional tips to minimize discomfort.

Stay Hydrated, But Wisely

Dehydration can worsen nausea. Sip on small amounts of fluids throughout the day rather than gulping down large quantities at once. Clear beverages like water, clear broths, and ginger ale are good choices. Avoid liquids with meals, as this can lead to a feeling of fullness.

Understand Vitamin B6 Intake

While B6 can help, excessive intake of any vitamin can be harmful. The tolerable upper limit for B6 in adults is 100mg per day. Be especially cautious if you are taking a multivitamin along with a separate B6 supplement. Some people find that taking their multivitamin with a snack or just before bed, rather than on an empty stomach, can reduce nausea.

Conclusion: A Holistic Approach to Combating Nausea

For those wondering what vitamin helps stop nausea, the answer is predominantly Vitamin B6, supported by significant research, particularly for pregnancy-related sickness. However, relying on a single supplement is not a cure-all. A holistic approach, which includes incorporating ginger, making smart dietary choices (like the BRAT diet and small, frequent meals), avoiding triggers, and staying hydrated, offers the best chance of finding lasting relief. Before starting any new supplement or making significant dietary changes, especially for a recurring issue, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional. For more detailed information on Vitamin B6, you can visit the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements fact sheet.

Frequently Asked Questions

The speed at which Vitamin B6 provides relief can vary among individuals. In some studies on morning sickness, women reported a reduction in nausea symptoms after a few days of regular supplementation, but it's not typically an instant remedy.

For mild nausea, increasing your intake of Vitamin B6-rich foods like salmon, bananas, and avocados may be helpful. However, for more severe cases or consistent issues, a healthcare provider might discuss supplement options.

At levels below the tolerable upper limit for adults (100mg per day), Vitamin B6 is generally safe. However, very high doses over time can potentially lead to neurological issues. It is important to discuss appropriate intake with a healthcare professional.

Ginger can be used in several ways, including brewing fresh ginger tea, sipping on real ginger ale, or taking ginger capsules. Many find that ginger chews or candies also provide potential relief.

The BRAT diet is intended for short-term relief during periods of severe nausea or vomiting, as it is limited in certain nutrients for long-term health. It should be expanded with more nutritious foods as soon as they can be tolerated.

Other home remedies include sipping clear fluids, smelling fresh lemons or peppermint, ensuring proper ventilation, and using acupressure wristbands. Eating small, frequent meals can also help prevent an overly empty stomach.

Yes, dehydration can both contribute to and exacerbate nausea. Staying consistently hydrated by sipping fluids between meals is a critical step in managing an upset stomach. Clear broths and electrolyte-rich sports drinks can also be potentially beneficial.